Diagnosis, Treatment & Recovery
Cancer treatments will vary depending on a number of factors and will be tailored to your individual needs.
We hope that the information in this section will be useful to you, but it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Your doctor and medical team will be the best source of information for your individual case.
If you have any concerns or worries about the care you are receiving why not have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions section or download our ‘Questions to ask your Doctor’ documents below. We have divided the questions into three sections which you can print off and use to make notes.
Seeing a specialist
If you’ve been referred to a specialist they will often perform further tests to help them determine what is causing your symptoms.
Understanding your diagnosis
If you do receive a cancer diagnosis, your medical team will explain the next steps. Several factors will determine the course of treatment recommended to you.
Who will treat you?
If you are diagnosed with cancer you will have a dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who will be responsible for planning, implementing and managing your care.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is perhaps the treatment people most associate with cancer. ‘Chemo’, as it’s sometimes known, involves treating the body with chemicals in order to destroy the cancerous cells.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is treatment through radiation. High energy beams of radiation are directed at the cancerous tumour with the aim of destroying it.
Surgery
Depending on the type of cancer and other factors, you may have surgery to treat it.
Clinical Trials
Thanks to pioneering and innovative medics and researchers, clinical trials for head and neck cancers are growing more common.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
This section talks about the recovery process after treatment for cancer.
Need Support?
There is lots of help available though and we have compiled a list of useful resources which will guide you through the support that is available to patients and their families.
