Cancer Rehab Team
Speech & Language Therapy
Head & Neck Cancer (H&N) Service
The Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) provides assessment, advice and treatment to adults who are living with or have experienced head and neck cancer.
People with the following conditions would benefit from being seen by Speech and Language Therapy:
- Any cancer of the head and neck affecting voice, speech or swallowing function
- Trismus (limited jaw mobility)
- Speech or swallowing difficulties following surgery or radiotherapy for head or neck cancer
- Laryngectomy
- Anyone living with the long-term side effects of radiotherapy for a head and neck cancer
Please see the Speech and Language Therapy page for more information.
Treatment
Intervention and treatment may consist of:
- Detailed assessment of the speech or swallowing difficulty including the person's medical history and any relevant treatment undertaken (i.e. radiotherapy or chemotherapy, surgery etc)
- Detailed explanation of changes to your speech and/or swallowing following surgery or other treatment for cancer
- Instrumental assessment of your swallow if required
- Exercises designed to increase strength of swallow mechanism
- Exercises for you to carry out to improve strength and function of the muscles of the head and neck
- Discussions around alternative feeding if your swallow is not safe
- the SLT will work with the dietitian to see inpatients on the ward to support eating and drinking, voice and communication
- Laryngectomy: Explanation of pre and post surgery changes to speech and swallowing, options for communication following laryngectomy surgery, regular speaking valve changes, as required.
How can I be referred?
- Many referrals will come through automatically via ENT or Oncology.
- Ask your health care professional to refer you (eg. nurse, cancer support worker, doctor/GP, or any other member of your head and neck cancer team)
- If you are an inpatient, your nurse or doctor can refer you to SLT team
- You can choose if you would like to be seen face to face, on video call or over the telephone.