The Swallows Australian Edition Magazine
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For those who develop these cancers, it is often a<br />
long and difficult road; it is complex with many<br />
appointments with multiple team members. Despite<br />
wrapping as much care around people as possible,<br />
it is still a lonely and difficult place to be. We need to<br />
better understand the effect of treatment on one’s<br />
soul and long term wellbeing, allowing for us to<br />
provide better holistic care all round.<br />
Photo<br />
<strong>The</strong> earlier we detect these cancers the greater the<br />
chance for cure. Early detection can also minimise<br />
the impact of treatment.<br />
Prevention and early detection must be at the heart<br />
of both meaningful research and public campaigns,<br />
even though the public message may be complex.<br />
Research into choosing treatment wisely, and<br />
furthering our understanding of which patients will<br />
benefit most from which treatment combinations is<br />
integral. We have some of Australia’s finest research<br />
institutions on our doorstep and our Head and Neck<br />
research teams need support.<br />
We are all in this together<br />
Head and Neck Cancer is somewhat of an orphan in<br />
the <strong>Australian</strong> landscape, representing 4% of all<br />
cancers. From a national point of view it is not<br />
prominent on the agenda, and few people are aware<br />
that we can develop cancers in the mouth or throat.<br />
However, for the people who develop these cancers,<br />
for their loved ones and for the multidisciplinary<br />
teams that care for them, the impact of the diagnosis<br />
and treatment on both patients and their treatment<br />
team is high and greatly underappreciated by<br />
anyone other than those involved. It has an impact<br />
on body and soul and it takes a herculean effort from<br />
all involved to manage treatment as well as possible.<br />
Many Head and Neck Cancers present at a relatively<br />
late stage and people affected often require<br />
combinations of surgery, radiation treatment and<br />
chemotherapy. It is essential that people with these<br />
cancers are seen and managed by an experienced<br />
Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team. <strong>The</strong><br />
specialised skills required means that there are only<br />
a few such teams in our state. When patients don’t<br />
live close to treatment, the need to travel for care<br />
adds an additional burden, however, having access<br />
to these teams, which include dedicated<br />
Radiologists, Pathologists and PET Physicians, as<br />
well as Surgeons, Radiation and Medical<br />
Oncologists, and Allied Health and Palliative Care<br />
specialists, can make a marked difference to<br />
treatment and outcomes.<br />
Today, nearly 70% of Head and Neck Cancers are<br />
cured. Many of our patients go on to live full and<br />
highly rewarding lives with no ill effects from their<br />
treatment. However, for others, this can be a major<br />
burden to bear. Our Head and Neck Support Groups<br />
remind us every day, that no matter how difficult and<br />
complicated treatment might seem, there is a bright<br />
light at the end of the tunnel.<br />
Our patients are an amazing and constant source of<br />
inspiration and drive us to do better in every respect.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y keep us going!<br />
<strong>The</strong> term “we are all in this together” never ever<br />
seemed more appropriate.<br />
Adj Prof Liz Kenny AO<br />
MB BS; FRANZCR; FACR; FBIR; FRCR; FCIRSE<br />
Radiation Oncologist<br />
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Head and Neck<br />
Cancer Clinic<br />
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