Late-stage diagnosis for head and neck cancers in NI increases – as Covid caused early dental referrals to plummet

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Professor Gerry McKenna, Chair of BDA NI Hospitals Group said: “The data confirms the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on reduced Head and Neck cancer detection and referrals, and later-stage diagnosis in the wake of what has been traditionally a less than optimal picture by way of detection and diagnosis”.

 

 

“It’s important we put this into context. A large proportion of our Head and Neck Cancer patients are not patients who are struggling to attend their general dental practice - they are people who do not (and have never) engaged with health services generally, hence the history of late presentation”.