Follow-up after treatment for head and neck cancer

You may have scans from time to time but the most important part of your follow-up will be your specialist’s examination of your head and neck.

If you have any problems or notice any new symptoms in between these times, you should let your GP, specialist or specialist nurse know as soon as possible.

The check-ups will often continue for several years, frequently at first, then less so. This can make it difficult to put the experience of cancer behind you.

It’s important to have a nutritious and well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, even if your appetite and interest in food have been reduced. Your dietitian will be able to advise you on ways to eat well and can help with any problems you may have.

Our section on adjusting to life after cancer| gives useful advice on how to keep healthy and deal with these changes.

Smoking and alcohol

If you are a smoker, it’s important to try to give up. Smoking is the main cause of head and neck cancers and continuing to smoke puts you at greater risk of developing a second cancer. It may also significantly reduce the effectiveness of your current treatment, worsen the side effects and increase the risk of your cancer coming back. Giving up smoking can be very difficult, especially at times of stress.

You may find our information about giving up smoking| helpful.

Other organisations that can help, such as Quit|, can be found in our directory|.

Cutting back on alcohol can also help. If you can’t stop drinking alcohol completely, it’s best to avoid spirits if you can.