Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Early diagnosis of laryngeal cancers is key for good prognosis. However, many individuals are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. Delayed diagnosis can be attributed to patients' access to healthcare. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the association between the stage of laryngeal cancer at diagnosis and healthcare utilization prior to diagnosis. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in Ontario. Data will be obtained from patient charts, cancer registry data, billing data, and hospitalization data. Associations between the frequency and type of healthcare visits prior to diagnosis and disease stage at diagnosis will be investigated. This association will be examined separately for the glottic and supraglottic subsites of laryngeal cancer to determine if there are any differences. In addition, determinants of access to healthcare, such as socioeconomic status, will be investigated for their effects on the associations between healthcare utilization and stage at diagnosis. Understanding healthcare utilization among patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer is important for the prevention of delayed diagnosis. Identifying the patterns of healthcare utilization that contribute to late stage diagnosis will allow steps to be taken to improve screening for laryngeal cancers. These changes will result in earlier diagnosis of laryngeal cancers and will lead to improved outcomes and survival among patients.