Head and neck cancer often presents with subtle, persistent symptoms that can mimic benign conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. This session will highlight approaches for GPs to recognise red-flag symptoms early, perform targeted examinations, and apply risk-stratification to guide timely referral. We will discuss how to distinguish concerning presentations from common differentials, the role of HPV in changing disease patterns, and how best to use urgent suspected cancer pathways. The aim is to give primary care clinicians confidence in spotting disease earlier, improving patient outcomes while avoiding unnecessary referrals.

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Apply NICE NG12 criteria to recognise when persistent symptoms (e.g. hoarseness, ulcer, sore throat, neck lump) warrant urgent suspected cancer (2WW) referral.
• Differentiate between likely benign presentations (infection, trauma, reflux) and those requiring further investigation.
• Incorporate risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, and HPV status into clinical suspicion.
• Understand atypical presentations (e.g. isolated neck lump, referred otalgia) where examination findings may be minimal.
• Use effective safety-netting strategies to ensure timely follow-up and reduce the risk of delayed diagnosis.