The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer charity, together with other head and neck cancer charities, are currently working on a crucial project to support patients and survivors. The treatment for such cancers, whilst often successful, is brutal and leads to ongoing issues with eating, speaking and oral health.
They are currently helping to raise awareness of an official government petition, launched by the Swallows in November, to try to highlight the problems that arise with oral health and the need for ongoing dental screening to minimise these.
To summarise:
Between 12,000 and 17,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK
People who have had the radiotherapy on their mouth and neck areas, which is often part of the treatment, are susceptible to ongoing dental problems due to impacted circulation and greatly reduced saliva production
Dental treatment on the NHS is NOT currently provided in the ongoing treatment pathway for such patients
Many cannot find an NHS dentist and can’t afford private dentistry
Such patients risk going on to develop problems which are life changing and avoidable – and which can cost the NHS vast sums
Inclusion of dentistry in the follow up would reduce these issues and, potentially, save money
The petition has until the end of April 2026 to reach the target of 10,000 signatures
Reaching this total will ensure that a key representative will be granted a meeting with a health minister to outline the case
The petition can be found HERE