Part 3: Providing practical help and support
In this part of the toolkit you will find tried and tested strategies for managing physical symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and difficulty eating or speaking.
We won’t sugarcoat it. Treatments for head and neck cancer can be harsh and long-lasting.
Common physical impacts include difficulty swallowing, speech challenges, dry mouth, and changes in taste or smell, which can affect eating and overall quality of life. Fatigue and chronic pain are also frequent issues, alongside potential disfigurement or scarring from surgery.
Head and Neck Cancer Australia have some excellent resources to manage a range of issues that can affect head and neck cancer patients. You can access them here. https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/health-wellbeing/
Download our pretreatment checklist below and check out our ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
We understand your journey. Here Diana Ayling, trustee of the Network share images from her head and neck cancer journey.
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We strongly suggest you join our online support group. Research demonstrates that those who engage in support groups do better overall.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/headnecknzAlternatively, subscribe to our website and receive our monthly newsletter. https://www.headandneck.org.nz/
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You can access our pre-treatment checklist online here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IbFVN3C-iDYtv3XtJ_lqbwBgwOosoD-1EyZepFFqjRo/edit?usp=sharingscription