Rehabilitation
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Ryan Branski, PhD Associate Director, Speech and Hearing Center |
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Speech and swallowing therapists are key members of the rehabilitation team following treatment for head and neck cancer -- they can help patients achieve their best function, while physical and occupational therapists help improve mobility after surgery or medical treatment. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, our expert therapists work closely with head and neck cancer patients, their families, and the medical team to enhance patients' quality of life throughout treatment, recuperation, and life after cancer.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering's rehabilitation therapists evaluate each patient's functional needs and design an individualized treatment plan during the patient's treatment program or hospital stay. They often prescribe therapeutic exercise regimens to help patients improve their articulation (speech and pronunciation), swallowing, posture, range of motion, and the strength of their neck and shoulder muscles following treatment. They may also provide treatments to improve the efficiency of breathing and coughing after surgery and assistive devices to help patients walk. Memorial Sloan-Kettering's therapists play an important role in educating patients in proper body mechanics, energy conservation, and pain management techniques to reduce the side effects of surgery or hospitalization. Many patients may have to take specific precautions after surgery to the head and neck, and physical and occupational therapists are integral in educating patients about these precautions.
Following treatment, a patient may notice changes in his or her range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. Occupational therapists educate patients and their families about these changes and how to use adaptive equipment and compensatory techniques to increase patients' independence during their daily routines. They also teach patients techniques that will help them complete basic daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and moving around. Some patients may experience a decrease in vision after surgery; occupational therapists can evaluate and teach compensatory techniques for decreased vision.
To learn more about the role of rehabilitation services in the care of cancer patients, visit the Rehabilitation section of our Web site.
Follow-Up Care
Head and neck cancer survivors require regular follow-up care to make sure their cancer has not returned and that a new cancer has not begun. Follow-up visits at Memorial Sloan-Kettering typically include a thorough examination of the head and neck area, during which the doctor will feel for abnormalities and examine the inside of your mouth and throat, as well as laboratory and imaging tests. Patients who continue to use tobacco and alcohol increase their risk of developing new cancers. These patients will need close surveillance for the rest of their lives.
In some cases, head and neck cancer patients may be able to consume only soft or pureed foods. These patients can find guidance and resources through Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Post-Treatment Resource Program or a nutrition counselor on how to make these meals healthy, satisfying, and nutritious.
Smoking Cessation
Some head and neck cancer patients think that it doesn't really matter whether they quit smoking or not once they have been diagnosed with cancer. Studies show that 37 percent of patients with one of these cancers who continue to smoke will develop a second cancer, compared to only 6 percent of those who stop smoking. People who have been diagnosed with a head and neck cancer should make a concerted effort to quit smoking.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Smoking Cessation Program offers plans to help smokers stop, whether they have cancer or just want to improve their overall health. Other groups offer programs and resources that help people take steps toward a healthy lifestyle. The Cancer Information Service (800-4-CANCER), American Lung Association, and American Cancer Society offer online resources, booklets, and referrals to local programs, as do Nicotine Anonymous and QuitNet.
Head and neck cancer patients can also lower their risk of developing a second cancer -- and other types of cancer -- by avoiding alcohol, eating a good diet, and protecting themselves from the sun.
Living Beyond Cancer
People facing the challenges of cancer survivorship can access a variety of support services through the Living Beyond Cancer section of our Web site. This section includes information about professionally led support groups and counseling; survivorship clinics to manage late effects of cancer and its treatment; recommendations about screening and healthy living; and specialized services to address sexual and reproductive health. We also offer a range of resources to help survivors, families, and friends better understand the complex emotional and social issues following treatment.
Additional services are offered through our Post-Treatment Resource Program, which provides a full range of educational support services, including individual and family counseling, periodic lectures or workshops to provide medical updates, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues. Our monthly group meeting is geared toward specific topics of interest to head and neck cancer survivors such as proper nutrition, emotional and spiritual wellness, and general fitness. The Post-Treatment Resource Program welcomes all former patients and their families, including those treated outside of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. For reservations and information, please call the Post-Treatment Resource Program at 212-717-3527.
