Did the 'croaky voice' public health campaign have any impact on the stage of laryngeal cancer at presentation in 84 cases from the Humber and Yorkshire Coast Cancer Network?

BACKGROUND: A public health campaign on laryngeal cancer was conducted in 2011 in the Humber and Yorkshire Coast Cancer Network. This study evaluated its subsequent impact (if any) upon the stage of laryngeal cancer at presentation. METHODS: Cases of laryngeal cancer diagnosed in the Humber and Yorkshire Coast Cancer Network from January 2009 to July 2014 were identified from cancer registries and were dichotomised into early (tumour stage T1-2) and late (T3-4) disease. Statistical analysis using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series data was performed. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes in laryngeal cancer cases immediately after the intervention for both early (p = 0.191) and late (p = 0.680) stage disease. There were also no significant changes to monthly detection rates in both groups on follow up. CONCLUSION: Findings of the first public health campaign on laryngeal cancer in the UK are described. Such processes are complex; the implications for future study are discussed.