Speech Pathologists are integral to the multidisciplinary management of head and neck cancer. Our role includes:
- Pre-operative assessment and education
- Prescription of augmentative communication options when needed for the acute post-operative period
- Completion of clinical and instrumental swallowing and communication assessments
- Post-operative management of voice, speech and swallowing
- Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team with respect to tracheostomy pathways and non-oral feeding plans
- Education on the effects of chemotherapy and radiation
- Prescription of prophylactic swallowing exercises during and after radiotherapy
- Coordinating community follow-up after the acute hospital experience
In many cases our Optimal SP clinicians can provide community review, however, we also liaise regularly with local cancer care services to ensure full support over the longer term.