- Our members have helped us put together a range of tips that they have found useful. We will be putting these on our website.
- In addition, we have selected some links to other websites which we think will be helpful and which we consider give trustworthy advice.
Find what you need on our site
We put our articles into “categories” to make searching work better
- Us On-Line: News of how we are getting on in converting our in-person support to on-line events e.g. using Zoom
- Living: Hints and tips for living a fuller life after your treatment
- Recipes: Ideas for helpful foods and even for some fun treats
- People: News of the of our members and our team
- Fundraising: News of what we are doing to fund our work
You can search using our lists of categories using the menu at the foot of the Resources page:
Use the ‘magnifying’ glass search
At top of every page there is a search button – this gives you the option of using your own words to pinpoint what you are looking for.
Using links to other sites
I suspect that a lot of us go straight to Google when we want to find something out. When you are uncertain about your health it is very tempting to start a search on the internet. Some people look at our website, but our Charity does not provide medical advice. So we thought you might appreciate some tips on searching for medical information. The internet is an amazing resource but it also contains unreliable or fake information.
Firstly, (stating the obvious) the best people to ask are your medical team. They will be able to answer your questions. If you are like me and get flustered write your questions down and don’t wait to the end of the appointment before getting your list out.
If you start searching on the internet remember that it is important to go to credible websites. To work out whether the site is credible ask yourself:
- Does the author have a good reputation in the area they are writing about?
- Where did you find the information?
- Is it on an established institution’s website? It is usually best to get information from this type of source first instead of newspapers or blogs.
If you look at the end of the domain name it will often tell you the type of institution that is responsible for the content. For example .gov.uk is the UK Government: .ac or .edu will usually be a University: .org often a not for profit organisation such as a Charity .co and .com are generally used by commercial companies.
- Does the website link to other reputable websites?
- Is the article factual or does it include very personal opinions?
- Check the sources of your information. Online sources like Wikipedia can be really helpful. However, always check their references especially if it covers a very specialist or controversial topic.
- Is the information old or up to date?
- Are they trying to sell you things?
- If it looks too good to be true, it is probably not true.
Links we have looked at
Cancer Research UK
This Charity’s website is full of useful resources including an A-Z of cancers. Each section has detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, research and coping with cancer.
There are resources that help you find if there any clinical trials into a particular type of cancer:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial
There is a useful set of resources about the effects of cancer these include the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them.
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping
They have information about Government Benefits and Charity Grants
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/practically/financial-support
If you wish to donate to Cancer Research you can do it here:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/donate
Shout at Cancer
This is a charity specialising in using music in speech training after laryngectomy.
Cancer on Board
This is a charity that was founded by James McNaught who used public transport during his treatment for throat cancer. He was exhausted and often struggled to get a seat for his journey home. Based on the successful TFL baby on board scheme this organisation has produced a badge that people can wear.
The aim is to make the journeys for treatment more pleasant by encouraging other travellers to offer you a seat.They will send you a badge free of charge and if you would like to donate ÂŁ1.50 so that they can send a badge to someone who needs it the details are on their website
http://canceronboard.org/contact-us/
Hidden Disabilities – Badges
Help during Covid 19
Have the restrictions due to Covid-19 meant that you’ve found doing certain things more difficult?
Well, help is at hand. There is a scheme for people with hidden disabilities, such as hearing loss, problems with speaking or difficulty tolerating wearing a mask.
The Disabilities website is a useful resource for finding user-friendly shops on-line for people with disabilities that aren’t obviously apparent to other people.
Go on-line to: https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ There are various cards which you can buy very cheaply to display your invisible disability by hanging the card round your neck.
The cards include a Clinically Vulnerable Card, which indicates you are clinically vulnerable and need to maintain social distance. There’s also a Hearing Loss Card.
Really worth a look!
Action Radiotherapy
Action Radiotherapy is a U.K charity dedicated to improving radiotherapy.
https://www.actionradiotherapy.org
There is a useful section on the website for patients which covers areas such as side effects, treatment FAQ and clinical trials.
The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation
https://hncf.org.uk/about-head-and-neck-cancer
This site has a resources section including:
Patient friendly recipes,
Self diagnosis
Tips on how to conduct a mouth check
The Mouth Cancer Foundation
is a charity dedicated to raising awareness and support for those suffering from or at risk of mouth cancer, throat cancer and other head and neck cancers, as well as providing assistance and information on living with mouth cancer for families, friends and carers.
They have a patient carer advice line:
01924950950
https://www.mouthcancerfoundation
Cancer.net
There are various links to useful information that has been reviewed by healthcare professionals working in the field:
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/head-and-neck-cancer
Macmillan
This is an extremely comprehensive website and a good starting point when searching for information. They also have an online community including ask an expert.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support
There is a section covering head and neck cancer:
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/head-neck-cancer-forum
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau is well known for offering advice including information about benefits, health, debt and money. They are providing some services on line
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
National Cancer Institute
This is a useful American website that has a wide range of information including an A-Z of cancer drugs.
If you are interested at investigating well-being you may be interested in these sites:
https://www.bemindfulonline.com
https://www.cancercaremap.org/find-services
Enables you to search for services within your local area.
https://www.cancercaremap.org/care-provider/untire-app-cancer-fatigue
An app that is designed to help people with cancer related fatigue.
https://www.fountaincentre.org
Our local centre that provides complementary therapies and emotional support services.
ATOS
ATOS has a variety of different types of information about their products:
https://news.atosmedical.com/5K2T-2S5O-1G2F30-1LXF4-1/c.aspx
HMEs
Different HMEs are designed to help in different situations, depending on the time of day and what you’re doing. 
Download this useful guide to help you select which product works best for an activity.
A handout is available to download which you may help you feel more confident when going out during the COVID-19 outbreak. 
It mentions which HME may be best to use when going out and staying home.
Breathing from your abdomen, will help you maximise your breath support for speech and can help to make breathing through an HME feel easier and more comfortable.
Ask a dietitian
