Webinar: Head and Neck Cancer Survivors - Managing Function and Quality of Life

wbcgaruss
wbcgaruss CSN Member Posts: 2,549
edited May 2024 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) hosted a Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) webinar discussing quality of life for head and neck cancer survivors. The treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) often involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. This treatment is critical for controlling or curing head and neck cancer. Though necessary, these treatments, particularly radiation therapy, can cause fibrosis (hardening) of the tissues, neck and face. This is known as radiation fibrosis. Radiation fibrosis can be painful and result in loss of neck movement, inability to open the mouth, trouble speaking, trouble swallowing, shoulder problems, swelling (known as lymphedema), and many other issues.

In this session, Dr. Michael Stubblefield of the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is joined by Speech Language Pathologist Brittany Boynton and Occupational Therapist Jennifer Maximos Hrdina, all of whom specialize in cancer rehabilitation. The team discusses how to know if you have radiation fibrosis, how medical professionals evaluate it, and importantly, how to treat it. NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso moderates a Q&A with the speakers after the presentation.

The goal of this session is to help you or your loved one with radiation fibrosis have the knowledge and tools to lead their best life.

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

Comments

  • jim108
    jim108 CSN Member Posts: 37

    thanks russ, I just found out about stubblefield and feel hopeful…now if I can find someone near me (Bellingham WA) who knows this I'll be grateful.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss CSN Member Posts: 2,549

    You are very welcome Jim I hope you are successful in finding someone who administers what you are looking for and it works for you.

    The side effects from treatment and aging combined can make doing things and enjoying life difficult at times.

    Wishing you the very best…

    Take Care, God Bless

    Russ

  • jim108
    jim108 CSN Member Posts: 37

    Thanks Russ. I hope. you are well.