MAKE SENSE CAMPAIGN
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Last September marked the successful launch of the inaugural Make Sense Campaign Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. The week-long programme, spearheaded by the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS), was designed to raise awareness of head and neck cancer which, despite being the 6th most common cancer globally, remains widely unknown and under-diagnosed. The week’s activities were aimed at healthcare professionals and policy makers involved in the diagnosis, treatment and management of head and neck cancer across Europe, as well as the media and general public. The theme underpinning the week’s activities was ‘early diagnosis’ – a key factor in improving survival outcomes among patients with head and neck cancer, in line with our mission. |
Campaign Successes Launch of Pan-European Website
Launch of Head and Neck Cancer White Paper in European Parliament
Early Diagnosis Days
Media Coverage
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The Make Sense Campaign, run by the EHNS, aims to raise awareness of head and neck cancer and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with the disease. It will do this through: |
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| Education on disease prevention | Driving understanding of the signs and symptoms of the disease | Encouraging earlier presentation, diagnosis and referral | |
Our focus for 2014 – Multidisciplinary Care:
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Download September
An In-depth Look at Multidisciplinary CareThe effective management of a patient with head and neck cancer requires the expertise of a number of healthcare professionals, including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologist, oncology nurses, pain specialists, speech therapists and dentist.. This multidisciplinary approach leads to a care plan that combines the skills, experience and up-to-date knowledge of each discipline involved in the patient’s care, through diagnosis, treatment and posttreatment care. While there is little published research that conclusively argues the case for multidisciplinary care improving clinical outcomes in head and neck cancer patients, the benefits of such an approach are widely accepted within the oncology community. A 2011 study published in the British Journal of Cancer analysed the outcomes of over 700 head and neck cancer patients who had been managed either in a multidisciplinary clinic or team setting (MDT), or by individual disciplines (non-MDT) within the same institution. Results demonstrated that there was a significant (p=0.004) improvement in 5-year survival rate among stage IV patients who had been treated within a MDT, compared with those in a non-MDT setting. While definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from one study, it is nevertheless an interesting finding, given that, currently, 60% of patients with head and neck cancer present with locally advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Scepticism and Driving Positive ChangeDespite the implementation of multidisciplinary care for head and neck cancer patients in a number of European counties, the lack of robust evidence for improved patient outcomes and the associated cost implications have led to scepticism as to whether moving to an MDT model is cost effective. While the many patient benefits are recognised, cost will always be a consideration within government decision making when implementing guidelines and policies. In collaboration with the European Parliament and the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), the EHNS is continuing to work with the European Commission (EC), to drive change for head and neck cancer patients in Europe. Part of the call to action aims to harness support from the EC to support a multidisciplinary treatment approach for head and neck cancer, thus leading to wider adoption of multidisciplinary care for patients across Europe, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. |
Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Team
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Centres of Excellence
The EHNS is working on an initiative to change how and where head and neck cancer patients receive treatment, by ensuring that every patient is treated by an MDT in a ‘Centre of Excellence’. Furthermore, treatment criteria are being devised, including details of the optimum number of patients that should be treated at any one time, the types of technologies and treatments that should be available, and which healthcare professionals should form part of the MDT.
The criteria will also include details of how to report patient outcomes. The implementation of these ‘Centres of Excellence’ and dedicated treatment guidelines will have a huge impact on the way head and neck cancer patients are treated in Europe, and improve the way medical knowledge and best practice is transferred. Most importantly, the initiative aims to optimise the way patients are diagnosed and treated, leading to greatly improved patient outcomes and better quality of life.
Multidisciplinary Care in Practice
Q&A with Dr Marcin Sówka MD, Poland
- How long have you been operating within a multidisciplinary care model?
The MDT was established 4 years ago.
- How soon after the model was implemented did you start to see a benefit for patients?
The first benefits were observed after 6 months.
- What challenges did you have to overcome to successfully implement the MDT?
The main challenge was to convince a number of specialists, from different departments, about the need for the establishment of the MDT; and also to prove the aim and benefits of this form of care.
- Who was involved in the organisation and agreement of the care pathway / model?
The most involved were the head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists and radiologists.
- How have your head and neck cancer patients benefited from being treated and managed by an MDT?
The main benefit for the patients was the reduction in the time between diagnosis and starting treatment.
- Do you think that the patient experience (rather than outcome) is improved under the care of an MDT?
Comparing patients treated by the MDT, and patients treated before the creation of the MDT, we observed an increase in their treatment satisfaction and improved quality of life.
- Do you think multidisciplinary care of head and neck cancer patients is cost effective for healthcare authorities?
Yes, the organisation of MDT is cost effective. All the decisions about any additional testing ,imaging studies and consultations are made together, which allows for elimination of unnecessary costs.
- Do you think there are any disadvantages?
We do not observe any disadvantages.
- What advice would you give to help other organisations who are moving to a multidisciplinary care offering?
It is important to make the MDT meetings open, or even mandatory, for trainees, residents etc. Also the MDT coordinator should be well chosen. The organisers should also be patient when facing any sceptics that could present a position against the MDT (other specialists, authorities etc.)
- Please summarise the advantages of treating head and neck cancer patients under an MDT?
The main advantages are: precise disease staging; involving a multi-specialist team in decision-making rather than one person; improved coordination and continuity of patients care; and individualisation of care.
Conclusion
While there is still more to be done to ensure that all head and neck cancer patients receive optimal care from a multidisciplinary team, progress has been made, with a number of European countries now offering multidisciplinary care. Although scepticism remains regarding the cost-effectiveness of such a care model, we must ensure that patient outcome is at the forefront of our thinking, so that we can effectively identify, treat and manage head and neck cancer
patients. Multidisciplinary care must remain at the heart of the change.
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