Pioneering research trial aiming to reduce HPV-related head and neck cancers features on national television
A pioneering study involving clinicians at UHDB which aims to develop an effective screening programme to identify head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) has featured on national television.
Alongside colleagues at University of Derby, University Hospitals of Leicester, and the Oracle Cancer Trust, the team is working to develop a swabbing process, similar to the screening test used identify cervical cancer, to help earlier diagnosis of head and neck cancers caused by HPV.
Mr Bindy Sahota, Consultant ENT Surgeon at UHDB, appeared alongside Associate Professor in Cellular and Microbiology at University of Derby, Elizabeth Marsh, and shared insight into HPV head and neck cancers on BBC's Morning Live programme on Wednesday 3 January.
During the broadcast, Mr Sahota was interviewed by media personality Mark Wright and said raising the awareness of this form of cancer, which is now the fourth most common cancer in men in the UK, on a national level was vitally important to help more people recognise the common symptoms early.
He said: "Due to the success of the cervical cancer screening programme, we're seeing rates of this form of cancer fall quite quickly - but this same level of awareness is simply not there with head and neck cancers and a lot of members of the public we speak to are largely unaware that HPV can cause cancer in this area.
"Speaking with Mark and having our work profiled on national television is fantastic as the more people we can make aware HPV-related head and neck cancers, the better."
Despite the number of people who smoke is falling, and with a greater public awareness of alcohol-related issues - which are common contributory factors in head and neck cancer - this form of the disease is sharply on the rise which is predominantly being driven by HPV.
Due the rising prevalence of head and neck cancers, the study is now being rolled out to other centres across the country, including in Calderdale, Telford, and Liverpool.
The team also held a drop-in screening clinic in the Derbion shopping centre in July 2023 > where they provided education to members of the public, as well as providing free screening tests and advice on how to check for possible signs and symptoms at home. This was supported by national cancer charities, The Swallows and the Oracle Cancer Trust.
Mr Sahota continued: "This was a really important step for us in raising that awareness locally, and we're pleased to be spreading the word about HPV-related head and neck cancers on a national scale as with most cancers, the earlier we catch them, the better the prognosis is for patients."
The symptoms of head and neck cancers vary, but suffering with a consistently hoarse voice, having difficulty or pain when swallowing, an oral or tongue lesion that is present and does not heal after three weeks, or developing a new lump in the neck that is more than 1cm in length and which does not go away for three or more weeks are paramount.
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, or have concerns about head and neck cancer, please speak to your GP at your earliest convenience.