Before treatment for head and neck cancer starts

Dental care

It is usually advised that you have a complete dental check-up and any necessary dental work done before your cancer treatment begins. Your cancer doctor may recommend that you see a dentist with experience in treating people who have head and neck cancers, rather than your own dentist.

The dentist/hygienist will give you advice on care of your teeth and gums and check that your teeth are healthy. This is very important because cancer treatment may make your mouth more sensitive and more easily infected, particularly if you are to have radiotherapy.

Smoking

If you have a head and neck cancer, your treatment is more likely to be successful if you do not smoke. Continuing to smoke can increase the side effects of treatment. It can also increase the risk of a second cancer growing in the same area or of the original cancer coming back.

Smoking can be a very difficult habit to break – especially at times of stress – but if you are able to stop smoking it will help your recovery. There are organisations and self-help groups that can help you, such as QUIT|. Your GP can also give you advice and provide nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, gums and inhalers on prescription.

Alcohol

Avoiding alcohol, particularly spirits, will help make your treatment more effective and reduce the risk of uncomfortable side effects.