Radiotherapy is an effective treatment used in the care of many people with cancer. However, radiotherapy and other treatments for head and neck cancer can sometimes cause side effects that develop after treatment has finished, including difficulties with swallowing (dysphagia).
These difficulties can affect eating, drinking and nutrition, and have a significant impact on patients' everyday lives and wellbeing. Specialist speech and language therapy can help patients manage these difficulties and reduce their impact.
Because these symptoms can emerge months, and in some cases years, after treatment, recognising their connection to previous cancer care is not always straightforward. Patients may face multiple appointments, referrals and investigations before accessing the specialist support they need.
Establishing a more coordinated pathway
Building on promising early work by the Speech and Language Therapy team at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Moondance Cancer Initiative is funding the establishment and evaluation of a dedicated late effects therapy service for people experiencing swallowing difficulties following head and neck cancer treatment.
The team's initial work has already demonstrated the potential benefits of targeted therapy and support, including improvements in swallowing function and patient-reported quality of life.
This investment will help establish a more coordinated pathway, strengthening links between primary and secondary care and creating clearer routes into specialist speech and language therapy assessment and treatment.
What the work aims to achieve
Alongside providing specialist support for patients, the work will:
- Improve access and coordination by strengthening referral routes between primary and secondary care.
- Demonstrate the benefits of a dedicated late effects pathway for patients and services.
- Build evidence of patient outcomes, service activity and demand to inform future planning.
- Support longer-term change by identifying how the pathway and its benefits could be sustained and potentially adopted more widely.
Check back here for updates as the work develops.