Concerns about managing finances, returning to work, and getting in contact with your head and neck team after treatment can cause additional worry. There is additional information below to help you manage these issues.
Macmillan Benefits Service
Cancer can cause a significant strain on finances, often bringing extra costs such as hospital parking, travel fares and higher heating bills. If you have been affected in this way, Macmillan offer a benefits advice service to support you and provide guidance on mortgages, pensions, insurance, borrowing and savings. Macmillan welfare rights advisers can help you find out what benefits you might be entitled to, and help you complete forms and apply for benefits. They can also tell you more about other financial help that may be available to you. You can find out more about how Macmillan can help you with your finances by visiting the website below: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/financial-help/welfare-rights-advice
Return to work
If possible, you or a family member should try and stay in touch with someone from work. This will make it easier to discuss aspects relating to work such as sick leave, reduced working hours and returning to work when appropriate. This booklet will help you think about things related to your work while you are having treatment.
There is no specific timeframe for returning to work and this will vary for different people.
You may find it helpful to discuss how best to return to work, thinking though reduced working hours and what can be put in place to make it easier for you and your manager when returning to work.
Who to contact after treatment
It is common to have questions and queries following your cancer treatment. Below are some suggestions of useful contacts.
Contact your multidisciplinary team – if you are still seeing any of the health care professionals from the cancer team, you can contact them directly with any specific concerns you may have. Your routine reviews with the Head and Neck Specialist team at the hospital is generally for 5 years after treatment. You can also contact your keyworker who is often the head and neck cancer clinical nurse specialist.
Contact your GP – if you are no longer under the care of the hospital, you should make an appointment to see your GP to discuss any new concerns you may have. Your GP will discuss the best course of action.
Contact your dentist – if you have specific concerns about your mouth and/or teeth following discharge from your specialist team, you can make an appointment to see your dentist in the first instance. Your dentist will discuss with you the best course of action.
