Professional Development
This page is designed to assist Healthcare professionals resources develop their understanding and knowledge of head and neck cancers. We are planning to add in depth training courses soon. We would welcome input from you to improve and enhance these resources. Please contact us.
Head and Neck Cancer Fundamentals
The term head and neck cancer is used for a family of 30 cancers that are diagnosed and treated using 4 main treatment methods. Patients tend to report 6 main symptoms but there can be subtleties that are linked to specific types of head and neck cancers.
The main causes of head and neck cancer is here. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of oropharyngeal cancers alongside smoking and alcohol use. Did you know that a HPV vaccine is available for 12 to 25 year olds?
Oracle HNCUK has worked with clinicians to devise simple at home checks for signs and symptoms of head and neck cancers. Only 33% of the 12,500 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year are diagnosed early, i.e. at stage 1 or 2 thus reducing their chances of survival. Increasing the number of dental check-ups is key to increasing the numbers in early diagnosis.
A complete run down of the statistics underlying the UK crisis in head and neck cancer are provided here.
Online Courses
To learn more on early signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer Gateway C has an excellent 1 hour over course here. Please contact our Research team if you have questions about your eligibility for this scheme or require any assistance with your application: research@oraclehnc.org.uk
GatewayC is the early cancer diagnosis resource for primary care professionals across England and Wales. Designed by the NHS, for the NHS. We’ve supported the development of their 1-hour CPD course on head and neck cancer. This course aims to support clinical decision making, when assessing and managing patients with associated symptoms.
A Royal Marsden Training Course (starts 13th March 2025)
Principles of Head, Neck, and Thyroid Cancer Care
For nursing and healthcare professionals, this fully online module is available at level 6 (undergraduate) or level 7 (postgraduate).
13 March 2025 start, subject to validation.
The online training module will provide delegates with a comprehensive overview of current evidence based head and neck and thyroid cancer management, highlighting the sociological contexts of these diverse range of cancers. Within this module we will critically explore the diagnostic pathways, current treatments, support strategies and interventions available for people affected by head and neck and thyroid cancer. The aim of the module is to provide the learner with a thorough overview of current head and neck and thyroid cancer management and enable the development of knowledge, skills, and behaviours to effectively provide care and support for people affected by head and neck or thyroid cancer as part of a multidisciplinary team.
For more details and to register your interest:
The 16th Royal Marsden Head and Neck Conference, themed "Peri-operative Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer”
Date: Friday 27th Nov 2026
Venue: The Royal Marsden Education and Conference Centre, Stewart’s Grove, off Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ.
This year, we will focus on neoadjuvant and adjuvant Immunotherapy in the context of surgical management of Head and Neck cancer.
We have been slowly translating clinical trial setting into contemporary practice.
This meeting will go through the evidence in this area, experience and pitfalls that could apply to the domains of diagnostics, surgical and oncological management, rehabilitation and follow up, harnessing technological advances. The participants will leave the meeting with clear concepts on current management and ongoing research that's likely to change practice. The conference is for all multidisciplinary groups including medical, nursing, and allied health and, those based in the primary, secondary or tertiary care setting.
TOPICS TO INCLUDE:
• Summary of impact of Keynot 689
• Diagnostic challenges in the immunotherapy era
• Surgical management of patients perioperatively on immunotherapy
• Panel discussion of complex scenarios
• Future molecular horizons
We hope you can join us for what promises to be a fantastic conference!
To register:
Diagnosis, Treatment and Post Treatment Side Effects
Our patients and clinicians have compiled the following pages to describe the stages encountered during head and neck cancer patient journeys. Oracle NHCUK does not advocate choices of medicines as every patient´s needs and circumstances are different and this is best managed by the consultants and nurses who are dealing with each person.
Scholarships offered by Oracle HNCUK
Scholarship scheme for senior Head and Neck Cancer Trainees who would benefit from financial support to attend international multidisciplinary Head and Neck cancer conferences. The scholarship is being awarded in the name of Oracle’s Founder, the late Peter Rhys-Evans, who was a strong advocate of multidisciplinary and international best practice exchange.
Please contact our Research team if you have questions about your eligibility for this scheme or require any assistance with your application: research@oraclehnc.org.uk
| Up to 4 awards for Senior Trainees (Senior Registrar or Fellow) or early stage Consultants | ENT, Max Facial Surgery and Clinical oncology UK formal trainees or similar |
| Up to 2 awards for qualified Allied Health Professionals and Restorative Dentists with specialist interest in Head and Neck cancers | SALT, Dieticians, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Restorative Dentists who are seeking to get further sub-specialist interest in Head and Neck cancer management. |
| Up to 2 awards for Head and Neck Cancer CNSs | Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists |
| Sub-specialty interest | Head and Neck Cancer |
| Application deadline | April 26th |
| Funding amount and restrictions | Up to £2,000 total Scholarship. This amount can be applied towards registration costs of course/conference, flight expenses and up to 5 days hotel accommodation. |
Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1142037), and in Scotland (SC052790).
Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (7125497). Registered address: 80 Coombe Road, New Malden KT3 4QS.