Head & Neck Cancer Patient & Family

09/03/2026

🇬🇧 ☢️ “Juliette's mask is a reminder of hope.”

“A creative nurse has transformed the mask used for her radiotherapy treatments into a work of art.

Juliette Beaumont had to wear the custom-made device as part of her treatment for cancer at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. It was specially created to mould to her face, and used to strap her to the treatment table for 20 minutes at a time, five days a week, for seven weeks.

After her sessions ended, Juliette, from Ramsgate, wanted to create something positive instead of focusing on the side effects so decorated it with flowers she had crocheted during her treatment.

Juliette said: “I’m quite a creative person and I learned to crochet during my treatment as a distraction - something that helped me relax and take my mind off the side effects.

“The mask has all these holes in it, and I thought I could decorate it with flowers, so over the months I made more and more of them.

“During treatment, the mask keeps you tightly strapped to the table and you can’t even open your eyes or your mouth – you really can’t move a muscle.

“I thought decorating it was a way to make something positive out of it, and I will have it on display at “home as a reminder that there is still beauty in the world.”

Juliette, 50, was diagnosed with cancer at the base of her tongue last summer, after finding a lump in her neck.” East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundstion Trust.

Full Story: https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/news/juliette-s-mask-is-a-reminder-of-hope

07/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BLS2C9zKW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

27/02/2026

Brilliant 6 minute video interview with survivors of head and neck cancer & thyroid cancer, plus their partners/carers.

❤️ “The journey through head and neck cancer (HNC) or thyroid cancer (TC) can feel overwhelming and isolating, but when survivors and caregivers share their stories, isolation can give way to connection. In this video, the voices of HNC and TC survivors and caregivers like Bill, Trish, Becky, Jack, Maryellen, and Allison show how speaking up builds community, creates hope, and transforms challenges into action, purpose, and strength.”

❤️ “Cancer can feel isolating, but Bill, a head and neck cancer (HNC) survivor, shows how finding the right support helped give him the strength to carry on. Watch the full video to hear how HNC and thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers turned isolation into connection and advocacy.”

The journey through head and neck cancer (HNC) or thyroid cancer (TC) can feel overwhelming and isolating, but when survivors and caregivers share their stor...

27/02/2026

For more on Oral Cancer please visit www.headandneckcancer.org.auHead and Neck Cancer Australia is an Australian charity dedicated to improving the quality o...

27/02/2026

🇮🇪 ☢️ “As part of our Research Awards 2026 our Translational & Clinical Award 2026 was provided to Saint Luke's Radiation Oncology Network for the OPEN Trial: Optimising Patient Experience in Head and Neck Radiotherapy Irish Cancer Society.” Claire Kilty, Head of Research at Irish Cancer Society.

🇦🇺 ☢️ As a 13-year survivor of a Head & Neck Cancer treated with I am so grateful for this research by Prof Sinead Brennan & team. I struggled emotionally with wearing the Full Face Immobilisation Mask during my 33 sessions of life-saving treatment. This comparative research between Full Face and Open Face Masks is crucial to bringing about change while ensuring patient safety. Thank you from Australia! We’re looking forward to the publication of the results of the next phase of this research. 🦘 🦘 🦘

🎭 For people who’ve never seen these safety masks, I’ve posted a photo of me wearing an Open Face Mask at an ICON Cancer Centre in Adelaide beside an example of a Full Face Mask.

25/02/2026

🇬🇧 Cancer patients benefit from pioneering new treatments thanks to charity gift.

“Many patients diagnosed with head and throat cancers will benefit from a new treatment at Lincoln County Hospital, thanks to the initiative of a fellow patient.

“The hospital is one of the first in the country to use new state-of-the-art head and neck cradles that will transform the experience of patients in the Radiotherapy Unit.”

Many patients diagnosed with head and throat cancers will benefit from a new treatment at Lincoln County Hospital, thanks to a fellow patient.

25/02/2026

Oral health post treatment

Welcome back everyone! We hope you all enjoyed the holiday period (even though for most of us that feels like a distant memory...)At today’s meeting we heard from Shae Beaton, an Oral Health Therapist at Peter Mac, who spoke to the major long term side effects of radiotherapy treatment, specifical...

24/02/2026

Charity helps man overcome fears to receive cancer treatment
Funding made available from Lingen Davies Cancer Support for new equipment has helped a local man overcome claustrophobia and receive life saving treatment.

Funding made available from Lingen Davies Cancer Support for new equipment has helped a local man overcome claustrophobia and receive life saving treatment.

24/02/2026

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAD AND NECK CANCERS?

The symptoms of head and neck cancers may include a lump or a sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a

21/02/2026

Graham Caveney, a 61-year-old author and journalist from Accrington, has seen his advanced food pipe (oesophageal) cancer shrink by 50% thanks to a drug trial at The Christie.

Graham Caveney, a 61-year-old author and journalist from Accrington, has seen his advanced food pipe (oesophageal) cancer shrink by 50% thanks to a drug trial at The Christie.

21/02/2026

“My Experience Receiving Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

“So after such an overwhelmingly positive response to my Radiation Treatment video, I was asked by Penn Medicine where I received treatment to elaborate further on my experience, I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to help such an amazing institution. I hope that this video continues to inspire and help in alleviating the fear and uncertainty around Radiation Therapy for everyone in their battle against cancer.” Thomas Ashley.

So after such an overwhelmingly positive response to my Radiation Treatment video, I was asked by Penn Medicine where I received treatment to elaborate further on…

21/02/2026

A brilliant video made by USA head and neck cancer patient Tom Ashley about his treatment. This is the treatment I had but my mask was bigger.

So 118 days since I have completed radiation therapy, an MRI and a PET scan and no signs of recurring cancer. I still have a long way to go before I am in the clear…