Head and neck cancer and its treatment can affect the things we often take for granted: eating a meal, swallowing a sip of water, speaking to a loved one, using your voice, or breathing comfortably.
When those things change, life changes.
Speech-Language Pathologists, or SLPs, help patients protect, adapt, and rebuild these essential functions before, during, and after treatment. Their work is not just about speech. It is about helping people stay nourished, communicate, participate, and feel more like themselves through one of the hardest seasons of life.
We asked head and neck cancer SLPs what they wish patients and caregivers knew. Here are 10 things they shared.
1. SLPs do more than help with speech
Don’t get confused by our title ‘speech pathology’ we can do so much more for you on your cancer journey. From preventative care, post-surgical and post treatment rehabilitation, swallow studies, getting you back to eating, and so much more.
-Carolyn A.
SLPs are trained to help with many areas affected by head and neck cancer treatment. This may include swallowing, voice, communication, speech clarity, jaw and neck movement, lymphedema, and safe eating and drinking, even years into survivorship.
2. Start with an SLP early
The earlier you begin and the more consistent you are with your exercises, the better your outcomes will likely be. Similarly, the sooner you establish care with a SLP, the sooner you can begin your journey towards recovery. The day of diagnosis or soon thereafter is the best time to start!
-Erin C.
You do not have to wait until swallowing, speech, or eating becomes hard. Meeting with an SLP early can help you understand what may change during treatment and what you can do to protect your function as much as possible.
3. Do not stop swallowing during treatment unless your care team tells you to
Do not ever stop swallowing even through treatment! We want you to keep those muscles active and strong!
-Keely B.
Swallowing uses muscles. Like other muscles in the body, they can get weaker when they are not used. Your SLP can help you understand what is safe for you and what exercises or swallowing practice may help. And they can help be your cheerleader when things get hard.
4. Keeping your mouth clean matters
Keeping your mouth clean using a toothbrush and toothpaste is one of the best ways you can prevent aspiration pneumonia.
-Molly C.
Good oral care can lower the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This is especially important if swallowing is difficult or if a person is at risk for aspiration.
5. Aspiration does not always mean pneumonia.
Aspiration does not equal pneumonia.
-Jennifer S.
Aspiration means food, liquid, saliva, or stomach contents go toward the airway instead of safely into the esophagus. It can raise the risk of pneumonia, but it does not automatically mean a person will get pneumonia. Your SLP can help check your swallowing and teach strategies to lower risk.
6. A feeding tube does not mean you failed.
Having a feeding tube placed does not mean treatment has failed. Sometimes it’s a necessity to maintain nutrition/hydration while continuing the rehabilitation process.
-Stephanie K.
A feeding tube does not mean stop eating/drinking by mouth.
-Jennifer S.
A feeding tube can be an important tool to help you get enough nutrition and fluids during treatment. In many cases, your care team may still want you to keep swallowing by mouth if it is safe for you.
7. Eating during treatment may take planning.
Smaller meals more frequently throughout the day will help with swallow frequency, diet, and reducing fatigue when eating during chemotherapy and radiation!
-Chrissy R.
Treatment can make eating tiring. Smaller, more frequent meals may help you keep swallowing active, take in more nutrition, and manage fatigue during meals.
Taste, after radiotherapy, takes longer than a month to rebound… so, one cannot use that as an excuse not to eat.
-Laurie W.
Taste changes after radiation can be frustrating and may last longer than patients expect. Even when food does not taste the same, nutrition and swallowing practice remain important parts of recovery.
8. Some side effects need long-term attention.
Managing neck lymphedema and fibrosis, as well as head posture, will be a lifelong goal after treatment.
-Katie W.
Head and neck cancer treatment can cause swelling, tightness, stiffness, and posture changes. These issues may need long-term care, exercises, therapy, or check-ins with your care team.
9. Know your body, ask questions.
You should regularly look inside your mouth and feel your own neck! When you familiarize yourself with your own body, you can help alert your providers of any changes.
-Cody H.
Ask questions. The Team will answer as best they can.
-Lisa B.
Be an advocate for yourself! Find a support group for you and your care partners to help navigate through this journey.
-Susan M.
You know your body best. Tell your care team about new pain, swelling, sores, lumps, swallowing changes, voice changes, or anything that feels different.
10. We are here for you.
Don’t just suffer through radiation therapy. Find a team, follow a radiation swallowing pathway and think long term. Let us help you get through this to the other side.
-Kathy W.
You are not defined by your diagnosis. Take it one day at a time and you will make it through. Know that you inspire your team and your success is our biggest goal.
-Lisa B.
To every patient and survivor: you are the reason SLPs do this work. Your strength, courage, and determination inspire them every day.
A final thank you to SLPs
Every May is Better Speech and Hearing Month; we are grateful for the SLPs who help keep patients going: one swallow, one word, one meal, and one hard-earned milestone at a time.
