Local cancer charity welcomes head and neck cancer patients, carers and professionals to annual Conference during Mouth Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland today welcomed 100 head and neck cancer patients, carers, and professionals to their annual Head and Neck Cancer Support and Information Day at The Dunadry Hotel Co. Antrim.

Over 350 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancers annually in Northern Ireland and around 140 people will die from head and neck cancers locally each year.

The conference represents an opportunity for head and neck cancer patients, and their carers, to engage with various organisations supporting patients on their cancer journey. This year’s theme focuses on Compassionate, Caring, Conversations with a particular emphasis on the patient voice and experience, with a facilitated Q&A session with patients impacted by head and neck cancers. Highlights also include sessions on oral health, living and eating well including a cooking demonstration, as well as insight into available support services.

The annual conference is organised by Anthony Stuart, Community Wellbeing Manager at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. Speaking about the reasons for the conference, Anthony said: “We are delighted to be back again to host our annual Head and Neck conference, the need is clear for local patients affected by these cancers, and although they are not among the most common cancers, they can be the most noticeable and disruptive given their placement. There are a lot of challenges faced by head and neck patients, and providing a space to discuss these challenges with others in a similar situation, along with showcasing the professionals and resources that are available to help throughout Northern Ireland, is crucial.”

Lending her voice to the patients’ perspective, Etain Fitzpatrick will be speaking at this year’s conference, having attended in 2023 and taking a lot from the day. She said: “The Head & Neck Conference 2023 was a very emotional day for me, and at the conference one attendee asked the question of what they could do to help others in a similar situation, which stuck with me. I took that on board, and now I work with the South Eastern Trust to visit patients and ease their fears of surgery and recovery, when they are facing the same tongue surgery that I had. I’m really looking forward to speaking at this year’s event about my own experience of diagnosis, treatment and hopefully I can help others in the same position feel less alone.”

The event will be led by Cherith Semple, Professor in Clinical Cancer Nursing at Ulster University and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. Cherith said: “It’s great to have this conference and an occasion to bring people impacted by head and neck cancer together. It can help people feel less alone and also exchange valuable advice on how to manage the side effects of their treatments. While head and neck cancers are not the most common cancers, they can be among the most visible and life-changing. It’s great to see Cancer Focus NI recognise this and highlight it in this conference each year.

Individuals can reduce their cancer risks by refraining from tobacco use (especially smoking) and by having regular dental check-ups (to facilitate early detection).

For more information on mouth cancers, visit www.cancerfocusni.org/mouthcancer.

For cancer concerns, call the free Cancer Focus NI Nurse Line on 0800 783 3339 (Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am to 1pm), email nurseline@cancerfocusni.org, or visit www.cancerfocusni.org/support to learn about available support services.