Welcome to our online resource specifically for patients, carers and family members affected by Head and Neck Cancer.

Find out more
  • Be informed

  • Be prepared

  • Be empowered

The resource aims to provide information, guidance and support to you and your family throughout your cancer journey, from diagnosis to living beyond cancer treatment.  As well as the information you will find in this resource, you will be supported by your Head and Neck Cancer team.

It’s important to know there are different types of Head and Neck Cancer and treatments which may affect you in various ways.

Meet the Team
Meet the Team

There are many health professionals who are experts in the diagnosis, treatment and providing care for people with head and neck cancer. This group of people are called a multidisciplinary team (or MDT). Find out more in this section.

Coming to Hospital
Coming to Hospital

If you are having your surgery in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, you will attend the Ulster Hospital. Your Inpatient room will be in the new Inpatient Ward Block (Ward 4c). Find out more in this section.

Preparing Myself for Surgery
Preparing Myself for Surgery

It is important that you prepare yourself physically, nutritionally and emotionally for the treatment you are about to undergo. In this section we offer you some advice which can help you to prepare and identify any issues which you may want to talk to your cancer team about in more detail.

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Investigations
Investigations

Imaging investigations (scans) help the cancer care team to understand more about your cancer. Scans are often used to help inform the most appropriate treatment for your head and neck cancer.

The information in this section may help answer some of your questions about scans and investigations you may need; it is not intended to replace advice or discussion between you and your cancer care team.

Treatment
Treatment

You may undergo surgery or further treatment such as Radiotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy.

Living with and beyond cancer
Living with and beyond cancer

People often need support and guidance after treatment has ended, to help adjust to changes in their everyday life.  This can mean adjusting to different ways of speaking, eating and drinking, emotional changes, as well as new ways of focusing on your health and wellbeing to recover as fully as possible.

I would definitely go through treatment and surgery again. I can’t imagine what life would have been like if I hadn’t done it. An acceptance of the diagnosis and treatment has helped me, along with the encouragement from friends and family.

Patient of Head and Neck Cancer