Implementation of the Symptom Based Risk Calculator for Head and Neck Cancer HaNC-RC v.2 Post COVID-19 Pandemic. A Single Centre Audit

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As the incidence of head and neck cancer continues to rise, the volume of referrals to our urgent suspected cancer clinics continues to rise with it. Cancer referral and review time targets are not being met within the UK, and our centre has experienced an increase in volume of referrals which cannot be met by available clinic slots. We proposed a pathway to the North East London Cancer Alliance to safely triage these patients using the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 (HaNC-RCv2). METHODS: All 2-week-wait referrals to our unit in June 2023 were initially triaged in a telephone consultation by a specialty registrar working in the department. A brief history would be taken, and a risk score calculated. Those scoring < 5% were moved to routine or less urgent follow up. RESULTS: 120 patients were referred to our department. We were able to safely triage 48.7% patients off the urgent suspected cancer pathway and to routine follow up. A total of 3 patients were found to have a head and neck malignancy and all were treated within the 62 day window. CONCLUSION: As trusts work to cut the waiting times following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an evident need for more efficient practices. The use of validated, safe triaging methods such as this can play a central role.