The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Charity
The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Charity
The Swallows Charity supports all people affected by head and neck cancers, patients, carers friends or relatives. The patient is the focus for support, help and signposting, however the role of carers and others is vital too, with their own support needs often overlooked. It is our intention for every person affected by head and neck cancer to have access to support at the point they need it and by the method off their choice on a 24/7 basis. This could be by telephone, email or social media. This is the key growth area for The Swallows as we move into 2020, namely that over a three-year period, we expand our global reach and provide resources to enable this 24/7 support to be freely available to all people affected by head and neck cancers.
It is a proven fact that early diagnosis saves lives, hence it is important to educate and inform people globally about a) how to avoid such cancers and b) how to look for warning signs that allow for early diagnosis and treatment.
Currently, we have several Support Groups in the UK. Our aim is to increase this number over the coming years. The approach we use successfully is to provide a monthly meeting at which both patients and carers can attend to discuss their issues. They are given the opportunity to talk about these matters collectively or separately in a safe environment. Our experience and feedback gathered from attendees is that they value this time spent together to talk about their own specific issues in an open and honest way and to receive support. We find that by separating patients from carers for some of this time, it facilitates a more open and frank exchange which results in people in similar situations being able to offer much valued support and guidance. Feedback since 2011 has shown that this approach works very well, and this is the model that we are now seeking to use with all Swallows Support Groups in the UK and overseas.
Other activities include:
We offer a unique & dedicated 24/7 support phone line, operated by patients & carers for the patient & carer (this is not a call centre)
The Swallows website & social media platforms help to educate patients & carers with current and relevant information for Head & Neck cancers
Types of Head & Neck Cancer Supported
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Salivary gland cancer
Oral cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer
Tonsil cancer