Patient page
Eating, Drinking and Nutrition
Why nutrition matters during treatment, what can make eating difficult, and how dietitians and speech and language therapists can help.
Patient information
Preparing for Treatment Appointments
How to prepare for treatment discussions, what questions to ask, and which practical arrangements can make the next stages of care easier.
Preparing for treatment can feel overwhelming, especially when you are taking in new information quickly. It can help to break the process into a few practical steps before each appointment.
Before your appointment
Write down your symptoms, concerns, and any recent changes you have noticed. Bring a list of your medicines and, if possible, ask a family member or friend to come with you so another person can listen and take notes.
Questions to ask your care team
You may want to ask:
- What treatment is being recommended
- Why this treatment is being recommended
- What the aim of treatment is
- What the possible benefits and risks are
- Which short-term side effects are common
- Which long-term side effects may happen
- How treatment may affect your voice, swallowing, and breathing
- Who to contact if you feel unwell between appointments
Planning for home and recovery
It can help to think ahead about transport, work, caring responsibilities, communication needs, and support at home. If eating and drinking may become difficult, ask what support will be available from the dietitian and speech and language therapist.
Taking someone with you
Many people find it helpful to bring someone to appointments. A relative, friend, or carer can listen, write things down, and help you remember the discussion later.
Giving yourself time
You do not need to understand everything in one conversation. It is reasonable to ask for information to be repeated, request written information, and come back with more questions at the next appointment.
Related resources
Related pages
Patient page
Support for Families and Carers
How family members and carers may support someone with laryngeal cancer, and why carers also need support for themselves.
Patient page
Your Treatment Pathway: An Overview
A step-by-step guide to what patients may experience from specialist referral and tests through treatment planning, treatment, and follow-up.
Videos
Video resource
Care of Laryngectomy
An introductory video for patients and carers covering laryngectomy care and the practical points to understand early in recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked question
Can I work during treatment?
Some people continue working during treatment, while others need time away depending on side effects, treatment type, and day-to-day demands.
Frequently asked question
Will treatment cure my cancer?
Many patients are treated successfully, but the likely outcome depends on the individual cancer and treatment plan.