During Mouth Cancer Action Month, The British Dental Journal published their November issue on head and neck cancer.  Coalition members Vinidh Paleri on behalf of the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) and Lorna McCaul on behalf of Restorative Dentistry UK (RD-UK) guest edited the edition with a special focus on Head and Neck cancers. Collaboration for improved cancer care aims to widen the focus of all head and neck cancers and to outline the importance of dental health and dental care in relation to this.
The incidence of Head and Neck Cancer is rising; the World Health Organisation’s Global Cancer Observatory estimates that the global incidence of Head and Neck Cancers will increase by around 30% by 2030. The UK cancer registry data demonstrate that the majority of Head and Neck Cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with 58.5% at stage III or IV.
This issue describes the multidisciplinary care pathway for the patient, from the perspective of managing dental health effectively, as the individual progresses from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. The issue aims to: highlight the role of General Dental Practitioners in early detection explain the patient pathway while under care of the Head and Neck multidisciplinary team and describe how lifelong dental health after cancer treatment is optimised.
To read the full article https://go.nature.com/3VFcXQC