Current Screening Tools for Head and Neck Cancer Social Risks Lack Breadth

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma often requires complex, multimodal treatment involving surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy [1]. Despite clinical advancements, significant disparities persist, with social determinants of health such as race, insurance status, and socioeconomic position frequently driving advanced stage at presentation [2]. These social factors also contribute to critical treatment interruptions, including delays in initiating guideline-adherent postoperative radiotherapy [3]. While the impact of financial toxicity and social isolation on patient quality of life is well-documented, identifying these barriers in a busy clinical setting remains a significant challenge for the care team [4]. To address this gap, a recent scoping review evaluated the current landscape of screening instruments available to help clinicians identify these social risks in patients with head and neck cancer.