Facebook Twitter Youtube

24/7 Support Line: 07504 725 059

Patient & Caregiver Stories

Hear from Head and Neck cancer patients about their journey

A problem shared is a problem halved – we want to use section of our website to share other patient’s stories from diagnosis to living beyond cancer. We want people who have been through treatment and out the other side to share their stories with us.

If you have been through H&N Cancer and would like to share your story with us, then email us at [email protected] – if you have been through H&N Cancer and out the other side, your story can inspire hope in those who are beginning their journey.

Please remember every patient and carer is different and treatment will vary from person to person. All stories are for information only and not medical advice.  Do not be surprised if someone has a different treatment regime than you. If you are undergoing treatment and have any concerns about your treatment speak to your medical team or health professional.

Patient and Caregivers Stories

Steve

Steve talks about his journey from surgery to the Internal Association of Larygectonmees conference in 2019.

Read More »

Derek

Derek gives an indepth account of his carer’s journey, asking important questions along the way.

Read More »

Emma

I remember Stuart coming home from work one day vand saying a guy from work had noticed a lump on his neck.

Read More »

Claire

My Mum was diagnosed with tonsil cancer a year ago this month and it has been quite a roller coaster of a journey.

Read More »

Branton Holmberg

I learned late in life my mother thought, when I was born with a cleft lip and palate, God was punishing her. This was shared with me by her older sister, my favourite aunt.

Read More »

John

“After the surgery my wife became my care giver until I was strong enough to start becoming more independent.”

Read More »

Miki

‘Since the surgery I’ve had to relearn how to breathe, swallow, drink, talk and eat ‘

Read More »

John

‘ jokes he still retains his Hollywood good looks, its just a little bit more deeply set in the horror-pirate genre now’

Read More »

Richard

“Under anaesthetic I had a biopsy taken and 2 weeks later it was confirmed as the ‘Big C’ or as it became known ‘Dave’. “

Read More »

Bob

“A year on from the end of my treatment,
I feel very good considering the journey I have been on”

Read More »

Stephanie

“I hope that by writing this blog I can help others in similar situations take comfort in the fact that they are not alone. “

Read More »

Robert

“I am cancer free, gained my weight back, gone back to work, and attend Church regularly.”

Read More »

Oscar

“His treatment was incredible & we will always be grateful to all the people involved on his journey.”

Read More »

Colin Schools

“Thanks to all my family, friends and continued support from the Swallows, I am now out the other side and back to work full time.”

Read More »

Health Professional Stories

Maulik Darji, Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer                         

BSc Hons Radiotherapy Oncology, IP

Maulik Darji is a Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer specialising in Head and Neck Cancer, passionate about compassionate, patient-centred and holistic care.

He champions innovation, evidence-based practice and service development to improve outcomes and shape the future of radiotherapy.

As his department’s first Independent Prescriber, he advances personalised care and expands the role of therapeutic radiographers.

In 2025, he was named Professional of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards, recognised as the youngest Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer in his field.

He was also a National BAME Awards Clinical Champion finalist and a 2026 British Asian Who’s Who Awards Professional of the Year finalist.

Andrew Fishburn, Macmillan Nurse Consultant in Head & Neck

RN, Post Grad Dip in Cancer Care, MSc, Registered Non-Medical Prescriber

Andrew has worked through his entire nursing career in Head & Neck Cancer since qualifying.

He has worked at local, regional and national level, and has served as President of the British Association of Head & Neck Oncology Nurses (BAHNON) and currently serves as Conference Secretary. Andrew has presented papers at many local, national and international conferences. He teaches regularly at the University of Salford on the pre-registration and MSc nursing degrees.

Andrew believes in a healthy work/life balance and in his spare time he enjoys a busy family life, photography, and unaccompanied sacred music from the Renaissance.

Derek Lewthwaite

Trustee, Caregiver Advocate

Derek Lewthwaite is a passionate advocate for caregivers within the head and neck cancer community, drawing on his own deeply personal experience of supporting his wife following her diagnosis with mouth cancer in October 2018.

Derek spent much of his professional career working in sales and marketing, holding roles across a range of manufacturing and distribution businesses in the UK.

His life changed significantly when his wife was diagnosed with mouth cancer and he suddenly found himself navigating the complex world of head and neck cancer as a caregiver.

Sadly, Derek’s wife lost her battle with cancer in May 2019. Although their cancer journey was relatively short, it was filled with the emotional, practical and communication challenges that many caregivers experience while supporting someone through diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care.

Those experiences motivated Derek to become a strong advocate for caregivers, using what he learned to help improve the recognition, communication and support given to families and caregivers throughout the head and neck cancer pathway.

J.W. Snider, M.D. – Chief Medical Officer – Proton International London, LLC; Partners in Healthcare Technology, LLC

Physician

Radiation Oncologist specializing in Head and Neck Cancer and Proton Therapy

James W. (J.W.) Snider, III, MD, is a radiation oncologist and Chief Medical Officer of Proton International and Partners in Healthcare Technology.

He has clinical and research expertise in head and neck cancer, proton therapy, and advanced radiation techniques.

He has served as a principal investigator in prospective proton therapy trials, including the MD Anderson randomized Phase III trial of proton versus photon therapy for oropharyngeal cancer.

His work focuses on translating emerging technologies and clinical evidence into practical strategies that improve treatment outcomes, reduce toxicity, and expand access to advanced radiation therapy.

Emma Riley 

Healthcare Services Director

Emma has many years’ experience in dental nursing and oral health care, having qualified from Manchester Dental School.

She was at one point the only Sponsored McMillian Oral Health practitioner working for the Pennine Trust and supported patients at all stages of their treatment of oral cancers.

Emma led nurse led clinics and was the DCP member of UKomic.

Her work has seen her present and write both nationally and internationally and allowed her to present at the Mouth Cancer Awareness event in Parliament.

Emma is also a clinical advisor for MCF.

She has throughout the pandemic worked closely with care homes and was proud to contribute to the COP26 event which put oral care for the older person under the spot light.

Emma is currently supporting The Christie NHS Foundation Trust with training around oral health working closely with the Quality and Standards team.

 Toby Edwards-Lunn, Dentist

BDS MFDS RCS

Toby Edwards-Lunn (BDS Hons, MFDS RCS Eng) is Principal Dentist and Clinical Lead at West Terrace Dental Practice in Eastbourne, part of the Portman Dentex group.

Qualifying from Guy’s Hospital in 2000, he undertook formative maxillofacial training at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and Eastbourne DGH, fostering a longstanding interest in head and neck disease.

With around 25 years’ clinical experience spanning restorative, implant and cosmetic dentistry, he is a committed advocate for early detection and the dental team’s central role in oral cancer screening.

He brings a practical, patient-centred perspective to chairing today’s Q&A discussion.

Lucy Koh

Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer Head & Neck Cancer                

BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy, MSc Advanced Practice Radiotherapy & Oncology

I am a Head & Neck Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care for individuals undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

My role spans advanced clinical practice, leadership, service improvement, education, and research, with a focus on enhancing outcomes and experiences for patients with head and neck cancer.

My passion is supporting patients through treatment-related side effects and complex decision-making.

What motivates me most is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference during one of the most challenging periods in a person’s life, helping patients feel supported, informed, and in control throughout their cancer journey.

Professor Ali Khurram

BDS, MSc, PhD, MFDS-RCS, FHEA, FRCPath

Ali Khurram is a consultant pathologist and Professor at the University of Sheffield, specialising in diagnosis of conditions affecting the mouth, head, and neck.

He is also the Dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of Sheffield. His research focuses on diagnosing complex diseases and researching how digital tools and artificial intelligence can improve early cancer detection.

Dedicated to patient-centred care, he collaborates closely with clinical teams to ensure accurate diagnoses guide the best possible treatment decisions.

He is a Trustee of The Swallows and is passionate about improving diagnostic pathways and patient outcomes.

Matt Berry, RGN BSc, MSc APP, FHEA

Tracheostomy Specialist Nurse

 I’m Matt a tracheostomy specialist nurse from The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital supporting both paediatric and adult patients in the acute and community setting.

I support both laryngectomy and tracheostomy patients and families throughout their journey and I am passionate about providing education and spreading awareness within my role.

Within my role I have provided education and support to areas across the UK.

Emma Hallam, BSc MSc PGCertNMP

Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer  

Emma Hallam is a national leader in cancer survivorship and late effects management.

In 2013, she established the award-winning Macmillan Nottingham Radiotherapy Late Effects Clinic, the first dedicated service of its kind in the UK, supporting patients with the long-term physical and psychological consequences of cancer treatment.

Clinically and academically, her work focuses on Radiation-Induced Fibrosis (RIF) and the development of innovative interventions, including Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy.

Through research, service innovation, education, and guideline development, Emma is committed to improving outcomes for cancer survivors and ensuring patients can live well beyond treatment and diagnosis.

Andrew Hyde

Retired Headteacher

I, together with my wife Jo (who had major surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cancer on the tongue in 2019), have coordinated the Lincolnshire Swallows group since 2021.

Over the intervening years we have also become involved in many of wider activities undertaken by The Swallows to support head and neck cancer patients.

I am honoured to currently be leading the campaign to ensure that NHS dentistry is available to all head and neck cancer survivors.

I also run the regular international football competitions to raise much needed funds for the charity.

Professor Sean Duffy, MD, FRCS

Chief Medical Officer – PinPoint Datascience

Sean is a former National Clinical Director for Cancer with NHS England and is considered one of the world’s leading oncologists.

Previously the Programme Director for the Leeds Cancer Programme, Professor Duffy was also a Consultant Gynaecologist.

Professor Duffy supports PinPoint’s program of research to develop tools that will actually get deployed to help doctors make better, faster decisions whilst simultaneously improving the patient journey.

Sabina Khan

Consultant H&N Therapeutic Radiographer – Late Effects

Sabina has over a decade of specialist experience in head and neck cancer, working across radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, and survivorship.

She leads the first UK therapeutic radiographer led head and neck late effects service, reshaping how long term care is delivered.

She consistently challenges the status quo, pushing the field to rethink traditional definitions of survivorship and embed personalised, equitable care.

Sabina’s work highlights the profound disparities faced by marginalised groups, ensuring that innovation in head and neck oncology is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to meaningful change.

Paul Clarkson

Business Change Consultant

Trying to navigate life’s new path, post Throat Cancer. Treatment was exceptional, but post treatment has been the toughest battle I’ve ever encountered.

Wanting to champion the treatment & dialogue around the mental health scars that I’ve personally found so extremely difficult to manage.

Michael Heffernan, Prosthodontist     

BDS, MS

Michael Heffernan is a Specialist Prosthodontist.

He graduated from Guy’s Hospital, London, and completed his Master’s in Prosthodontics at the University of Iowa, where his research won the John J. Sharry Research Prize from the American College of Prosthodontists.

He was awarded an implant fellowship at the University of Florida before returning to clinical practice in the UK.

Michael has lectured internationally on implant dentistry and co-founded Dr Heff’s Remarkables, a dental supplement.

His interest is optimising oral health including oral microbiome and hyposalivation, spreading the message of preventive dentistry.

Lynda Tomarelli, Advisory SLT

PGDip SLT

I work for SpeakUnique, an AI healthcare technology start-up which has the aim of providing personalised synthetic voices to people who use communication aids.

I co-founded SpeakUnique from initial concept to spin out company after managing the Voice Bank research project through the University of Edinburgh.

I support patients with a wide range of conditions such as motor neurone disease, head and neck cancer, cerebral palsy, ataxia, and apraxia to determine whether our services are suitable, and support them to access our service.

I work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, running monthly training webinars, and maintain strong relationships with charities to offer funding and support to people to access our services.

I am passionate about assistive technology and in particular AAC.

Hazel Watson               

Head and Neck Specialist Dietitian

Hazel qualified as a dietitian in 2014 from Hertfordshire University, driven by a passion for food and supporting people to optimise their health through nutrition.

She began her career at Nottingham University Hospital Trust, where she spent 10 years specialising in oncology, with a particular focus on head and neck cancer.

She now works at The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she supports people with head and neck cancer to optimise their nutrition and quality of life before, during and after treatment.

Alongside her clinical role, she is a member of the working group developing the Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of Late Effects Following Head and Neck Radiotherapy and is leading the development of a late effects nutrition service at The Royal Marsden Hospital.

Dr Sumira Riaz, Health Psychologist 

Doctorate in Heath Psychologist, MSc Health Psychology, BSc Psychology

Dr. Sumira Riaz is a Chartered Psychologist and Registered Health Psychologist.

She specialises in patient engagement and behavioural science.

She brings over a decade of experience translating psychological insights into strategic healthcare solutions.

Dr. Riaz leads initiatives that drive meaningful patient outcomes through evidence-based, human-centered approaches.

Dr Riaz has worked in the NHS for 5 years as a psychologist, working directly across psychological health

Christopher Harrison

Registered Nurse Child BSc MSc (laryngectomee Aug’24)

Hi I’m 53, love my garden, love my job as an NHS children’s nurse coming up to 30 years service. 

I am a partner, and I am a father of two boys, Matthew age 26 and James 24 who I love dearly and want very much to be around a long time for. 

I am a person who loves to laugh, and enjoy life.  Life was good. 

August 2019 I was diagnosed with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. 

Over a 5 year span I had numerous surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, August 2024 I underwent a total salvage laryngectomy.

Chris Byrne

BSc (Hons), MBA

After surviving both redundancy from Big Pharma and a battle with tongue cancer, life took an unexpected but rewarding turn.

Honest feedback to his Clinical Nurse Specialist team helped inspire the creation of the Worcestershire Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group.

When Covid reshaped support services and meetings moved online, he remained actively involved and now chairs The Swallows’ national online support sessions when needed.

As a key worker during the pandemic, he contributed to data used by the NHS and Government to inform lockdown decisions.

Today, as a part-time Director of Healthwatch Worcestershire and Clinical Trials Ambassador for The Swallows, he uses his lived experience to champion patient voice, improve care and increase access to life-changing research opportunities.

Alison Smith,

(BSc, MSc, HCPC, RCSLT)

NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow, University of Liverpool

Senior Macmillan Speech and Language Therapist            

Alison is a Senior Macmillan Speech & Language Therapist, NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow (University of Liverpool), and Certified Lymphoedema Therapist. 

She specialises in head and neck Lymphoedema, dysphagia and late effects of radiation.

She is an Institute for Applied & Translational Technologies in Surgery Member and is working on a feasibility pilot study for acceptability of a tailored head and neck lymphoedema treatment.

Sha also has an amazing dog called Paul!

Michael J Passineau, PhD

Vice President, Salivary Gland Therapeutics

2021- Present, Vice President and Head of Salivary Gland Therapeutics, MeiraGTx (NASDAQ:MGTX). 

MeiraGTx is a global gene therapy company with corporate headquarters in New York City, and primary manufacturing facilities in London and Shannon, Ireland. 

MeiraGTx develops and manufacturers and develops gene therapy vectors in inherited retinal diseases (partnership with Janssen), central nervous system disorders and salivary gland dysfunction. 

My role encompasses oversight of clinical drug development and research for the company’s lead candidate, AAV2-hAQP1, a gene therapy agent intended to treat radiation-induced xerostomia and Sjogren’s disease, as well as other undisclosed therapeutic candidates. 

AAV2-hAQP1 completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in March 2023, and the company is currently dosing a Phase 2 in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Formerly 13 years at Allegheny Health Network, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh Campus (Allegheny General Hospital). 

Retired as full Professor, Drexel University CoM, in 2021.

BA in Chemistry/Bible – Cedarville University

PhD (Neuroscience) – University of Miami

Post-doctoral fellowship – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr Kev Chavda

Bachelors Dental Surgery or Dentist

Dr Keval Chavda is an award-winning dentist in Derbyshire with a strong focus on patient care, education, and community impact.

He has built a respected social media presence (@kevthedentist) where he shares dental knowledge with thousands of followers and inspires patients to feel confident about their smiles.

Passionate about giving back, Keval supports his local football team and regularly leads community initiatives.

In 2024, following the loss of his father to cancer, he dedicated a £5,000 patient giveaway to honour his memory, helping five cancer patients access dental treatment that improved their quality of life.

Alongside his clinical work, Keval lectures nationally, mentors young dentists, and advocates for raising awareness around oral health and cancer.

His work combines clinical excellence with compassion, aiming to improve both smiles and lives.

Gemma Russell

 

Gemma is 32 years old and a devoted mum to her young children. In 2024, her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Following extensive surgery and radiotherapy, Gemma is now navigating the challenging path of recovery and adjustment.

The journey however doesn’t end when treatment does and for Gemma, the psychological impact of her experience has proven to be as significant as the physical changes she’s living with.

Gemma is supported by the Nottingham Late effects Service however her courage and resilience in facing these challenges head-on are truly inspiring.

J.W. Snider, M.D.

Radiation Oncologist, Chief Medical Officer, Proton International, Partners in Healthcare Technology

J.W. Snider, M.D., is a Radiation Oncologist and the Chief Medical Officer for Proton International, LLC and Partners in Healthcare Technology, LLC.

He specializes in the management of patients with Head and Neck Cancers, Sarcomas, Prostate Cancer, and others.

Dr. Snider’s research and leadership focuses center on cutting edge technologies including Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy and Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy.

Dr. Snider completed his Medical Training at Georgetown University School of Medicine; his residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center; and his Clinical/Research Proton Fellowship at the world-renowned Paul Scherrer Institute Center for Proton Therapy in Switzerland.

Dr. Snider has led the Proton International Consortium of centers since its inception.

He has given numerous national/international talks and published widely in peer-reviewed journals, especially regarding Proton Therapy.

Dr. Snider was also an institutional Primary Investigator for the Phase III randomized trial comparing IMRT and Proton Therapy for oropharyngeal cancer.

Mr Supriya

FRCS (OTOL-HNS)

ENT and Head and Neck Trained in Edinburgh Scotland supplemented by head and neck fellowship in Melbourne.

Further robotic head and neck training in Michigan, USA. Providing head and neck treatment including robotic surgery at NGH

Laura Charlesworth

PhD

MSc and BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology

Laura completed her PhD 2024 titled: Enabling coping in people living with cancer and severe mental illness.

This research explored how individuals with severe mental illness perceived their needs when diagnosed with and treated for cancer.

Laura is a Professional Officer at the Society and College of Radiographers and a Health Services Research Fellow at York St John University.

She previously held academic, research and strategic roles including leading health research at a Think Tank, delivering projects that addressed key healthcare challenges and shaped health policy through research informed insights.

Laura’s academic experience includes a role as Associate Professor, where she combined teaching in Allied Health Professions with research, business development, and civic engagement activities.

Laura has also worked with Public Health England, Cancer Research UK, and Sheffield Hallam University.

Laura will be speaking at this event to share her experiences of cancer in her personal circumstances, with a professional background in the field.

Dr Sam Whitehouse

PhD, CChem, FRSC

Dr. Sam Whitehouse is the CEO of LightOx, a company working to make cancer treatment safer and more effective.

LightOx is developing new medicines that use light to target and treat mouth cancers, helping patients avoid the harsh side effects of traditional therapies.

With a background in chemistry and a passion for turning science into real-world solutions, Dr. Whitehouse leads a team focused on improving lives through innovation.

He believes that everyone deserves access to treatments that are not only powerful but also gentle and precise.

Through LightOx, he’s helping bring hope to people affected by oral cancer, offering new ways to treat the disease with less pain and more care.

Mr Rohan Bidaye

FRCS

Mr. Rohan Bidaye is a highly accomplished Consultant ENT Surgeon with expertise in Laryngology and Head & Neck Surgery.

With an impressive background encompassing prestigious institutions in the UK, the US, and India.

He is currently associated with the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire at Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital for his NHS work.

His exceptional skills shine in Voice, Airway, and Thyroid surgeries.

Senada Koljenović

MD, Ph.D., Professor

Professor and Head of the Pathology department, and Consultant Pathologist at Antwerp University Hospital / University of Antwerp (Belgium), where she mainly focuses on Head and Neck pathology and Dermatopathology.

Within Head and Neck pathology, she works intensively on improving surgical-pathological communication and correlation of information for better diagnosis, surgical results and patient outcome. 

She is a clinical pathologist-PI within a multidisciplinary research group including the Departments of Pathology, ENT and Head and Neck surgery, Maxillofacial and Head and Neck surgery, Dermatology. She furthermore coordinates close collaboration with other academic Head and Neck centers and affiliated non-academic institutes, to facilitate design and execution of large multi-center studies.

Her Ph.D – thesis focused on clinical application of Raman spectroscopy. Her department of Pathology has an open door policy for developments in photonics and optical spectroscopies and  is a bridge between clinical practice and Photonics, to enable improved diagnosis and treatment of different diseases.

Research is translational with focus on medical applications of Photonics in general, and in particular applications of Raman spectroscopy-based tools in Head and Neck surgery (Raman-guided surgical resections facilitating safe surgical margins in oral cancer) and in characterisation of pre-neoplasia for its’s early diagnosis.

Paul Elkin

Retired Telecommunications Engineer | Caterer | Cancer Survivor

With over 30 years in the hospitality industry and a second career in telecommunications engineering, Paul brings a unique blend of service, precision, and resilience to everything he does.

Following his diagnosis and recovery from mouth cancer, Paul has now retired and turned his creativity and experience toward a new passion: chocolate.

As a chocolatier, he crafts soft-centred confections specifically designed for people with swallowing difficulties—offering both comfort and indulgence to those navigating similar challenges.

His work is a testament to recovery, adaptability, and the power of thoughtful design in food.

Paul now shares his journey to inspire others, demonstrating that life after cancer can be not only meaningful but deliciously rewarding.

Jane Bethea

PhD FFPH

Jane has worked across the NHS, the Local Authority and academic sector for nearly 30 years and has held a number of senior leadership roles in that time.  

This has included working as a Consultant in Public Health in the NHS and Local Authority settings, and as an Associate Professor of Public Health at Leicester Medical School.  

She is currently Director of Public Health, Communities and Leisure at North Northamptonshire Council and an Honorary Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Nottingham. 

Senada Koljenovic

MD, Ph.D., Professor and Head of Pathology Department

Professor and Head of the Pathology department, and Consultant Pathologist at Antwerp University Hospital / University of Antwerp (Belgium), where she mainly focuses on Head and Neck pathology and Dermatopathology.

Within Head and Neck pathology, she works intensively on improving surgical-pathological communication and correlation of information for better diagnosis, surgical results and patient outcome. 

She is a clinical pathologist-PI within a multidisciplinary research group including the Departments of Pathology, ENT and Head and Neck surgery, Maxillofacial and Head and Neck surgery, Dermatology.

She furthermore coordinates close collaboration with other academic Head and Neck centre’s and affiliated non-academic institutes, to facilitate design and execution of large multi-center studies.

Her Ph.D – thesis focused on clinical application of Raman spectroscopy. Her department of Pathology has an open door policy for developments in photonics and optical spectroscopies and  is a bridge between clinical practice and Photonics, to enable improved diagnosis and treatment of different diseases.

Research is translational with focus on medical applications of Photonics in general, and in particular applications of Raman spectroscopy-based tools in Head and Neck surgery (Raman-guided surgical resections facilitating safe surgical margins in oral cancer) and in characterisation of pre-neoplasia for its’s early diagnosis.

Sabina Khan

Macmillan Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer

Sabina is a Macmillan Consultant Head and Neck Therapeutic Radiographer at UCLH, who has spent her career working in Radiotherapy, Proton Beam therapy and Acute Head and Neck Oncology. 

A proud Allied Health Professional, she advocates for holistic treatment of patients and addressing their “un met needs” in their survivorship journey. 

As of 2023, Sabina now specialises in the Late Effects of cancer treatment and runs the first solely Head and Neck cancer, radiographer led late effects clinic in England. 

She is passionate about personalised care, health inequality, cancer survivorship and improving quality of life outcomes.

Roger Gillespie 

Retired managing Director of Engineering businesses

Age 69, retired managing Director of Engineering businesses.

 Diagnosed with Cancer of the larynx in 2022 had radical radio therapy but cancer returned in June 2023.

Then had a partial laryngectomy in November 2023. Most recent treatment was microlaryngoscopy and injection of renu in April 2025.

Matt Berry

BSc Nursing, Associate fellow in higher education (AFHEA)

I work at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as a specialist tracheostomy nurse.

I work across the acute setting and the community of Norfolk and Waveney providing support to both tracheostomy and laryngectomy patients.

Over the past 2 years I have aided in setting up a first of its kind community service for people with complex airways.

I have a passion for education and provide a lot of training to professionals and care givers throughout the region and have also presented at educational events throughout the UK.

John Enright

Author

John has delivered medical aid to orphanages and hospitals across the globe, including Romania during the revolution, across South America, Bosnia during the war and recently into Ukraine.

His novels are based on the characters he encountered during his perilous missions.

He has written three trilogies: The Rogues Trilogy; The Lochran Trilogy; and The Lenka Trilogy.

He has also written his autobiography, The Benevolence of Rogues, and a short, humorous play, The ‘Pane’ of Rejection, based on a fictitious interview between a wry author and an acerbic critic.

His latest novel, Death Sentence, a stand-alone novel to be published in December 2025. It’s lead protagonist, having received a cancer diagnosis, embarks on his final medical aid mission into Ukraine.

Churchill’s Rogue, the first in the Rogues trilogy, was shortlisted for the inaugural Wilbur Smith adventure writing awards. Heartbreak, the first in the Lenka trilogy, won the Page Turner Spectrum Award. 

Derek C Stewart OBE

Honorary Professor with the University of Galway

Born too many years ago in Scotland, Derek was diagnosed and treated in Nottingham for cancer of the larynx in 1995. He was the founder chair of the Cancer Forum working within cancer research.

He currently works as a strategic adviser for the Health Research Board, Trials Methodology Research Network in Ireland; is a member of CRUK and a Board Member of the UK Trials Registry – ISRCTN.

He enjoys reading, walking and the arts.

Emma Hallam

Macmillan Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer

In 2013 Emma, developed and now leads the award winning Macmillan Nottingham Radiotherapy Late Effects Clinic. This bespoke service, the first if its kind within the UK helps patients with any physical or psychological late effects that patients experience as a consequence from their radiotherapy treatment.

Emma has a keen interest in the impact of radiation induced fibrosis and the development of novel treatments in managing this debilitating , life long condition.

Emma is also an associate lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University where she enjoys providing education around late effects and supportive care.

Offering a holistic personalised care approach, helping patients live well with and beyond cancer and providing education on late effects to both patients and health professionals is Emma’s key focus and area if interest.

Professor Daniel Kelly

OBE PhD RN PGCE FRCN FRSA

Professor Daniel Kelly has held the Royal College of Nursing Chair of Nursing Research at Cardiff University since 2011.

For almost 40 years his career-long interest has been in cancer care research and education.

He worked clinically at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and then taught for several years at the Royal Marsden Hospital/institute of Cancer Research before moving into academic roles.

Formerly President of the European Oncology Nursing Society (2015-17) he has co-chaired the ECO’s HPV Action Network since 2019 and is currently co-chairing the steering group of an EU co-funded HPV project ‘Protect Europe.’  

He was awarded the OBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for his national and international contribution to research and education in cancer care.

He was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing in 2016.

 He is currently visiting professor at Edinburgh University, University College London & Oxford Brookes University.

He is the Lead Governor at Kings College London NHS Foundation Trust and is also a Trustee at St Christopher’s Hospice, where he chairs the Education, Policy and Research committee.

Austen T Smith 

MB BCh BDS (Wales) FDSRCSEd FRCSEd ( OMFS)

Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Sheffield & Barnsley NHSFTs

Hon Sen Clinical Lecturer University of Sheffield

Austen SMITH has been a full-remit  NHS-only Head & Neck Surgeon in South Yorkshire for 26 yrs as Consultant , having been trained in Wales, Manchester, Leeds, London and India.

His main areas of interest are oncological surgery and free tissue transfer reconstruction in the oral cavity face and neck, Laser Surgery  and advanced post treatment correction.  He has lectured extensively at regional, national and International levels and is a BAOMS Presidents Prize Winner for work on arterial flow in free flap reconstruction.

As a past Training Programme Director for E Midlands for OMFS in the 2000s his involvement in the training of surgeons started in  the late 1980s and he has been a regular national Selector for candidate Trainees in his Specialty of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for 2 decades, a member of the Specialist Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Surgeons, and a named and acknowledged contributor to the OMFS “Getting It Right First Time” national improvement initiative.

He rewrote the syllabus for the GMC covering superspecialist Training interface Group Fellowships – designed to take the best surgeon Trainees from ENT, Plastic Surgery and OMFS , and take them on to excellence  in Head & Neck Surgical Oncology.

A past President of the British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (2021) he recently completed 3 yrs directing and Chairing the Interface Fellowship Committee of the Royal College of Surgeons of England – the Training of the best of our Head & Neck Surgeons for the United Kingdom’s National Health Service provision of Cancer care for Head & Neck patients.

Dizz Marston

Author, Food Writer and Recruiter

Tongue cancer thriver, now food writer and published author.

Dizz is also an advocate for patients with
tongue cancer, or those with eating difficulties.

Not only is she working with several head and neck cancer
charities, but she is also on several patient panels for future changes in the head and neck cancer world

Ceri Robertson

BMedSci (Hons) Speech Science

Ceri Robertson is the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) for Head and Neck Oncology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

She specialises in complex swallowing and communication assessment and rehabilitation for people with head and neck cancer, working closely with people, their families and the rest of the multidisciplinary team.

Ceri is a Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) Clinical Advisor for Head and Neck Cancer which involves contributing to national policy and guidance.

She was the Lead Author of the RCSLT Head and Neck Guidance, Laryngectomy Competency Framework and Laryngectomy Position Paper in 2023.

This involved collaboration with ‘The Swallows’ and other head and neck cancer patient groups to ensure the guidance and resources were relevant to service users.

She is a RCSLT Head and Neck Clinical Excellence Network committee member which includes organising national training days for SLTs working with head and neck cancer.

She is involved in national SLT head and neck cancer research and clinical trials, including participating in the National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) Research Associate Principal Investigator scheme and NIHR research internship.

She trains other speech and language therapists to develop their skills in working with people with head and neck cancer.

She teaches qualified SLTs and students about laryngectomy and swallowing anatomy and physiology at The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and Imperial College, London.

She was involved in an NHS England patient collaborative project and development of the Sheffield Head and Neck Cancer app, and cares about improving services, rehabilitation and access to information for people who have had a head and neck cancer diagnosis.

Mr Ricardo Mohammed-Ali

MBA, FRCS(Eng), LDSRCS, MFDSRCS, MBBS, DDS

Mr Ricardo Mohammed-Ali is a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon based at The Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. His area of interest is facial reconstructive surgery and he is one of the leading experts in the UK providing treatment for facial nerve injuries that includes nerve repair, nerve grafting, dynamic and static reconstructive procedures, and the use of botulinum toxin to treat facial asymmetry, synkinesis and eye spasms.

 Following the completion of his higher specialist surgical training, Mr Mohammed-Ali completed a Fellowship in Reconstructive Cosmetic Surgery. He is a member of the Joint Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Team that treats patients with facial weakness and deformity after trauma, Bell’s Palsy, cancer surgery or strokes. He is also part of the multi-disciplinary team that treats patients with facial deformity.

 Mr Mohmmed-Ali’s area of research interest is in using technology to improve the movement of the paralysed face.

Mike Morrissey

Chief Executive

European Cancer Organisation

 Mike Morrissey joined the European Cancer Organisation as Chief Executive in 2019, having previously worked at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) as their Chief Operating Officer. He is also President of the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE), having been elected to the position in June 2021, and became Executive Director of the European Cancer Community Foundation in March 2023.

Mike has a respected track record in leading and re-energising international not-for-profit organisations in the health and other sectors. He has served in various leadership roles and brings with him over 20 years of experience in association management. Mike is recognised for developing and managing global collaborations, as well as for supporting strategic leadership and operational implementation.

Prior to joining the ESC in 2016, Mike was Executive Vice President & Chief Global Officer at the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) and Managing Director of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA). Mike’s early career was as one of the leading tennis officials in the world when he worked for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and umpired many finals at Grand Slam and Davis Cup events.

Mike is a British and Irish citizen and in 2019, set up his own management company ‘Morrissey Global Management’ based in Cannes, to provide his services as CEO of the European Cancer Organisation, as well as to advise and support other international organisations.

Eleanor Midgley

Registered General Adult Nurse

My professional background is 27 years working a RGN in Neurosurgery, here in Sheffield. From 2020 to present day I have worked in General Practice.

However, I am here at the conference to talk to you about my Daughter Molly. 

Molly died in February 2024 aged 27 due to an Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of her lacrimal gland. 

She died 13 months after diagnosis and there are some elements of her care that I hope we can all learn from.

Sam Gregory

Macmillan Speech ans Language Therapist

I graduated in 2007 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Speech and Language Therapy. Since qualifying I have always had a passion for working with people with Head and Neck Cancer and their caregivers.

I have been the clinical lead for the Head and Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy service at Torbay Hospital in South Devon since 2018.

 

My role is to provide assessment and rehabilitation of communication and/ or swallowing difficulties associated with head and neck cancers and their treatment. I specialise in surgical voice restoration in laryngectomy rehabilitation and specialist instrumental swallow assessments including videofluoroscopy and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

I am honoured to have taken part in a transatlantic collaboration with The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group and the head and neck cancer team at the Lowell General Hospital in Boston, USA.  Our aim is to twin the two hospital trusts and continue to develop our overseas partnerships.

I am proud to support The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group in Torbay and have recently been given the honour of patron for which I am truly grateful and humbled. 

Professor Dan Lambert

BSc PhD FHEA

Dan Lambert is Interim Dean of the School of Clinical Dentistry, the University of Sheffield.

For nearly 20 years he has been researching the impact of the cells surrounding tumours on the behaviour of head and neck cancers. 

He is particularly interested in a type of cell called a fibroblast; while long thought of as a harmless part of the structure of tissues, it is now clear that these cells can help cancers grow, become resistant to therapy and avoid attack by the immune system. 

He has worked with many talented junior researchers over these years to make discoveries about what happens to fibroblasts to make them ‘noisy neighbours’, and how this might identify new ways to treat and diagnose head and neck cancer.

Arthur M. Lauretano

MD, MS, FACS

Otolaryngologist/Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon

Medical Director of the Lowell General Hospital Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Center

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Dr. Lauretano is a head and neck cancer surgeon in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 

He completed his medical school training at Boston University at age 24 and his head and neck training at Harvard Medical School, completing residency in 1993.

He was on full-time staff at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital in Boston from 1993 through 1996, remaining on the part-time staff from 1997-2001.  

In 1997, he started practice at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, Massachusetts, an urban area northwest of Boston with a high indigent and immigrant population. In 2006, he created the Lowell General Hospital Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Center, modelled after the clinic in which he served as a head and neck surgeon at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 

Dr. Lauretano performs robotic and reconstructive head and neck surgery as well as thyroid and parathyroid surgery. 

He also performs vocal reconstructive and professional voice surgeries. 

He has a keen interest in survivorship and quality of life initiatives for head and neck cancer patients and their carers. 

Dr. Lauretano teaches at Harvard Medical School, Tufts Medical School, and the Boston University School of Medicine, as well as teaching students from University of Vermont School of Medicine and New England College of Medicine. 

Outside of medicine, Dr. Lauretano is a professional guitar player and also has his United States National Soccer (football) coaching license.

Emma Hallam

BSc MSc PGCertNMP

Macmillan Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer 

Emma, a Macmillan Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer at The Nottingham Radiotherapy Centre developed and now leads the award winning Macmillan Nottingham Radiotherapy Late Effects Clinic. This bespoke service, the first of its kind within the UK helps patients with any physical or psychological late effect that patients may have as a consequence from their treatment.

The service includes prospective follow up of head and neck radiotherapy patients using patient reported outcome measures and digital technology and it is here where Emma helps to provide rehabilitation, identify early lymphoedema and other late effects with the intention of providing help and support before these consequences have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life.

Emma is an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield University providing education and expert clinical guidance on late effects, personalised care and living with and beyond cancer.

For the past two years, Emma has been successfully using Photobiomodualtion therapy to help reduce the late effects from radiotherapy and is applying for funding to research this area further.

Offering a holistic approach, helping patients live well with and beyond cancer and education on late effects to both patients and health professionals is Emma’s key focus and area of interest.

 

Sarah Sheard

Head & Neck Cancer Survivor Caregiver

Sarah has a background as a project manager specialising in marketing and events worldwide.

Sarah’s experience with Head & Neck cancer began at the end of 2017 when her husband Ben was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer located in his left tonsil, roof of mouth and lymph node.  At the time he was only given a 50% chance of survival but thankfully, following treatment of radio and chemotherapy, and with his incredible determination and zest for life, Ben smashed these odds.

She lives in a quiet rural village where she also a trustee for a dog rescue charity raising awareness and much needed funds.  Her “home” time is split between looking after her two crazy dogs and even crazier husband.

The opportunity to try and reduce the likelihood of other patients and caregivers experiencing the same challenges with getting the initial appointments, and information throughout treatment,  is why she has great pleasure in supporting the Swallows

Richard Andrews

 

Laryngectomy my voice 

Having suffered with a sore throat and squeaky voice for 6 months, was diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer in August 2018 and was prescribed 30 radiotherapy sessions. 

Following radiotherapy I began to exercise in order to help with recovery – I entered and completed a Duathlon and a 10k race, unfortunately I began getting breathless and suffering severe earache. In the June I was re-diagnosed and told a total laryngectomy with a radical neck dissection was required.

Post surgery I began to run and cycle to get fit and assist with my recovery and three months after the operation I ran the Cardiff half marathon, followed by a 50k ultra 3 months later. 

Then came Covid and I started getting interested in bigger challenges 100k ultra and Duathlons, I then heard about the special snorkel provided by Clare at the The Royal Devon – then came my interest in becoming the first Laryngectomee to complete a triathlon(swim 400mtrs; cycle 12 miles; run 5km) and half Ironman( swim 1.2 miles; cycle 50 miles and run 13 miles), I have now completed 3 triathlons and a half Ironman( although didn’t quite finish due to hypothermia)

 

Professor Iain Hutchison

Civilian Consultant in OMFS – The British Army

Honorary Chief Executive – Saving Faces-The Facial Surgery Research Foundation

Director – The National Facial, Oral and Oculoplastic Research Centre (NFORC)

Honorary Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon – Barts Health

Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Barts and the London Medical and Dental School, Queen Mary University of London

Professor Iain Hutchison treated patients with diseases, deformity and injuries affecting the most socially important part of our bodies – the face.

 

He funded the Saving Faces art project which has toured the world demystifying facial surgery for the general public and participated in many programmes about facial surgery including a TED talk entitled “Saving Faces

 

He founded the surgical research charity Saving Faces 24 years ago which leads international multi-centre clinical trials improving the prevention of and treatment for facial disease and injury.

 

Just one of Saving Faces research projects was the first ever, and still the only, nationwide surgical prospective trial of any head and neck cancer.  The trial (SEND)  compared two standard treatments for early mouth cancer evaluating which had the highest cure rate. We found that both treatments were very successful in curing early mouth cancer without any need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However one method, taking out the neck glands as well as the cancer, cured 30% more patients. This means that every year 30,000 more patients worldwide are cured as a result of the SEND Study.

 

Since the results were published in 2019, all the world guidelines have changed to recommend the better of two good treatments and save the lives of 30,000 patients around the world every year. You can read the full paper here.

 

We succeeded where many other studies failed because of our collaboration between 68 UK surgeons treating 614 patients at 26 UK hospitals. This national collaboration is still the only nationwide multi-centre study comparing two different surgical treatments for any head and neck cancer. Our findings are applicable for all surgeons worldwide because of the large numbers of surgeons from different backgrounds who operated on the patients.

 

Saving Faces is now  running a campaign to fund the Alan Rickman Professorship of Facial Surgery. Alan was a founding Patron of Saving Faces and when he launched their National Research Centre (NFORC) said “I believe Saving Faces next project is to appoint an outstanding surgical Professor”. 

 

This campaign has two aims, firstly, the Professor’s research will improve the faces and lives of thousands of people worldwide. Secondly, keeping the name and voice of Alan alive, forever associating him with this Professor’s research and great advances in treating facial disorders. Millions of people loved Alan and miss him. We are giving them an opportunity to honour him.

 

Emma Riley

Title of Talk: Look, Listen and Observe for Mouth Cancer in the elderly                

Emma has many years’ experience in dental nursing and oral health care, having qualified from Manchester Dental School.

She was at one point the only Sponsored McMillian Oral Health practitioner working for the Pennine Trust and supported patients at all stages of their treatment of oral cancers.

Emma led nurse led clinics and was the DCP member of UKOMIC.

Her work has seen her present and write both nationally and internationally and allowed her to present at the Mouth Cancer Awareness event in Parliament.

Emma is also a clinical advisor for MCF.

She has throughout the pandemic worked closely with care homes and was proud to contribute to the COP26 event which put oral care for the older person under the spot light.

Simon Erridge,

MBBS BSc (Hons)

Head of Research & Access, Sapphire Clinic

Panel Session Title: Alternative medicine 

Title of Talk: Latest Research for the use of medical cannabis in cancer pain                           

Simon is a medical doctor, based in London, who leads on the conduct and development of research on medical cannabis at Sapphire Medical Clinics.

He combines this with a role at Imperial College London, where he also studies the effects of components from the cannabis plant on pancreatic cancer cells in pre-clinical models.

Dr Naomi Cole

MB BcH MRCP FRCR

Panel Session Title: Collaboration outcomes

Title of Talk: The Torbay 14-day pathway – Aiming to improve outcomes by working together and streamlining care         

I did my Oncology training in South Wales, and became a consultant, treating Head and Neck and Skull base tumours, in 2013. 

In 2017 we moved down to the South West and I started working in Torbay Hospital treating people with Head and Neck cancer and with lung SABR. 

I work with a fantastic team in Torbay and we continually aim to provide great care for our patients.

Richard Andrews

Panel Session Title: Laryngectomy my voice 

Title of Talk: Living with a Laryngectomy              

Having suffered with a sore throat and squeaky voice for 6 months, was diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer in August 2018 and was prescribed 30 radiotherapy sessions.

Following radiotherapy I began to exercise in order to help with recovery – I entered and completed a Duathlon and a 10k race, unfortunately I began getting breathless and suffering severe earache.

In the June I was re-diagnosed and told a total laryngectomy with a radical neck dissection was required.

Post surgery I began to run and cycle to get fit and assist with my recovery and three months after the operation I ran the Cardiff half marathon, followed by a 50k ultra 3 months later.

Then came Covid and I started getting interested in bigger challenges 100k ultra and Duathlons, I then heard about the special snorkel provided by Clare at the The Royal Devon – then came my interest in becoming the first Laryngectomee to complete a triathlon(swim 400mtrs; cycle 12 miles; run 5km) and half Ironman( swim 1.2 miles; cycle 50 miles and run 13 miles), I have now completed 3 triathlons and a half Ironman( although didn’t quite finish due to hypothermia)

Samantha Gregory

Macmillan Speech and Language Therapist

Title of Talk: Collaboration of Outcomes        

I graduated in 2007 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Speech and Language Therapy. Since qualifying I have always had a passion for working with people with Head and Neck Cancer and their caregivers.

I have been the clinical lead for the Head and Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy service at Torbay Hospital in South Devon since 2018.

My role is to provide assessment and rehabilitation of communication and/ or swallowing difficulties associated with head and neck cancers and their treatment. I specialise in surgical voice restoration in laryngectomy rehabilitation and specialist instrumental swallow assessments including videofluoroscopy and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

I am honoured to have taken part in a transatlantic collaboration with The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group and the head and neck cancer team at the Lowell General Hospital in Boston, USA.  Our aim is to twin the two hospital trusts and continue to develop our overseas partnerships.

I am proud to support The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group in Torbay and have been recently been given the honour of patron for which I am truly grateful and humbled.

Fahida Rehman

Lead Head & Neck/Thyroid Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Title of Talk: Collaboration of Outcomes        

Fahida is the Lead H&N Cancer Specialist Nurse at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, providing holistic care for cancer patients undergoing investigation and treatment throughout their entire patient pathway, maintaining a high standard of person-centred care through clinical expertise.

As a result of collaborative work with The Swallows Charity, she was instrumental in pioneering the region’s first patient-led support group in the South-West, as well as developing a partnership and direct linking with the Lowell General Hospital in Boston, USA. The aim being to twin and refine best practice for both head and neck  cancer service departments; this successfully resulted in the continuing development of an equivalent role there.

She is also deeply honoured and humbled to accept the accolade becoming a charity patron,  as it’s a privilege to support and champion the incredible work The Swallows does, and she is committed to making a positive impact on their mission. Together, they hope to continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

She also has a passion for health inequalities, committed and dedicated to improving outcomes for patients who are most vulnerable to cancer and its associated health disparities; most recently reflected in being a member of the advisory panel for the Macmillan Torbay Equity Project, which aims bridge the gap in cancer care and promote equitable access to treatment.

 Philip Reece, ENT/Head & Neck Consultant

MBBS, FRCS (ORL-HNS), BSc

After leaving school I studied medicine at University College London, qualifying in 1992, in the middle of which I undertook an intercalated BSc in Cellular pathology.

I was attracted to ENT Surgery while a medical student and my postgraduate training involved jobs at the Royal Marsden, Great Ormond Street, Royal Throat, Noise and Ear, St Mary’s and Addenbrookes Hospitals.

The bulk of my senior surgical training was at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. At the end of my training I spent time in Tanzania and then a Fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in Australia.

In 2007 I returned to the United Kingdom to take up my post as ENT/Head & Neck Consultant at Torbay Hospital in South Devon.

I have been active in training surgeons of the future as an Assigned Educational Supervisor for the Royal College of Surgeons, I am the South Devon “Ambassador” for the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) and the Head and Neck Cancer Lead for South Devon.

We were the first surgeons in the UK to perform Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for cancer and today continue to innovate cancer treatment including laser and advanced airway surgery.

On a personal level my wife and I are raising four children and umpteen animals. 

Vladimir Vondracek

Medical Physics

Panel Session Title: Head & Neck Cancers latest technology

Title of Talk:Benefit of protons for H&N treatment    

Vladimír Vondráček, MSc. in theoretical physics at Charles University, Faculty of mathematics and physics, Prague in 1998


Professional accreditation in medical physics (medical physics expert) since 28th November 2001,
registration number 025-0081-9288


Accreditation as a radiation protection officer in field of radiotherapy and radiodiagnostics


Work record:
Medical physicist in Thomayer´s Memorial Hospital since 1997, since 2005 head of medical physics
department


Head of medical physics department in University hospital Na Bulovce, Institute of radiation
oncology, 2003-2012


Head of medical physics department in Proton therapy center in Prague since 2012, special
accreditation for radiation protection in proton therapy facility, accreditation for commissioning of
proton beam for clinical treatment


Project on collaboration with Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia, since 2004, in using
proton beams and/or hadron beams for treatment


Teacher at Institute for Postgradual Education in Medicine, 2006-2022, Faculty of medical physics.
Participation in research projects with Institute of Radiation Dosimetry, Czech Academy of Science
(RBE measurement of proton beam, LET measurement) and Czech Metrological Institute
(measurement of unwanted doses during radiation therapy)

Jon Organ

Panel Session Title: Laryngectomy my voice 

Title of Talk: Stage 4 laryngeal cancer my journey

My name is Jon Organ I am 57 and I am a Laryngectomee.

I have been married to Nicky for 34 years and have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

Up until November last year life was ticking along very nicely, and cares were few and far between.

I ran my own building company, as well as consulting on Health and Safety in the construction industry (i still do)

A two week rule visit to ENT at hospital after many months of a hoarse voice, found cancer of the voice box. Initially staged at 3, soon after stage 4.

The cancer had grown through the thyroid. An urgent total laryngectomy, plus removal of thyroid gland and 84 lymph nodes followed.

Shortly after 6 weeks of radiotherapy, at the Royal Marsden hospital London and two doses of chemotherapy.

I am now classed as NED, No evidence of disease at a recent PET scan. 

During my short but intense journey, the one thing I have learnt is that people out there feel alone just as I did.

Nobody should feel alone, and everybody should be helped wherever they can.

If possible, I would like to help make a painful situation a little less painful.

Arthur M. Lauretano, MD, MS, FACS

Medical Director, Lowell General Hospital Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Center

Clinical instructor in otology and laryngology, Harvard Medical School

Assistant clinical professor in otolaryngology, Boston University School of Medicine

Board Certified – American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

Board Certified – American Academy of Preventive Medicine

Title of Talk: Collaboration of Outcomes        

Dr. Lauretano is a head and neck cancer surgical oncologist from Boston Massachusetts.

A graduate of the Boston University Six-year Accelerated Medical Program, he trained at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

He was a full-time academic surgeon at Harvard Medical School, including the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and then moved his cancer practice to the urban area of Lowell, Massachusetts.

There he established the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Center, which sees patients from throughout the United States.

Arthur is a proud International Patron of the Swallows. 

Alexandra Langstaff,

BSc, BNurs, Msc, NMP

Title of Talk: Photobiomodulation (PBM): Using light therapy for the prevention and treatment of radiation induced oral mucositis. Quality improvement for the patient, purse and planet!           

Trained for BNurs Adult Nursing and MSc Specialist Practice Cancer at The University of Manchester.

Current ward manager for Head and Neck, Brachytherapy and Molecular Radiation at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Holding previous roles within the same unit as a Registered nurse and Sister.

Symptom control and end of life care interest led to previous role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Supportive and Palliative Care.

Attempting to regularly alleviate symptoms for a variety of disease groups, ongoing issues with patients experiencing severe mucositis as a result of head and neck radical radiation were noted leading to completion of research project during 2022.

Clinical innovation research completed on alleviation of radiation induced mucositis for head and neck patients via use of Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBM).

Green Team Award received January 2023 from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.

Strong passion for staff mental health and wellbeing – MSc research project focused on the impact of end of life care on nurses within the oncology setting.

Additional role of clinical supervisor held within current NHS trust.

Shyam Singam

MBBS, DLO, FRCSI (ENT)

Panel Session Title: Looking Beyond H&N Cancer

Title of Talk: The Role of Acupuncture in Post Radiotherapy Xerostomia       

Undergraduate and ENT Postgraduate training (Coimbatore and Madras medical Colleges respectively) in India.

Then trained in the Republic of Ireland and got my ENT Fellowship. Subsequently, after a stint of free lancing around the UK, caught the Hogwart’s Express, to Torbay!

Special interests include BAHA, Obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing, Coblation surgery and Acupuncture.

The Acupuncture Clinic for Post Radiotherapy Xerostomia, was set up back in 2003 (Julie Hewitt and I).

Outside of work, a little golf, gardening (includes hard labour in an allotment that churns out Rhubarb gin and Cherry vodka!) and cooking keeps me tied up!

Sarah Pearce

Director of Services and Operations, Fifth Sense

Panel Session Title: What we Eat “An apple a day keeps the doctor away   

Title of Talk: A Fifth Sense Fruit Bowl: Health, Wellbeing and Safety     

Having originally trained as a nurse, I later studied in my spare time to acquire the qualifications to study full time as an undergraduate Law student before going on to successfully complete a master’s degree in law.

I then commenced employment within the third sector, including setting up a citizens advocacy charity in Kent for people with learning disabilities and their families.

Following on from this I commenced working in various roles for physical and mental health charities. These were both large and small, established, and new.

My roles over the years have included national senior management, advocacy and writing policy documents for a government minister on advocacy for adults with learning disabilities.  

I have worked for Fifth Sense, the smell and taste charity, for over a year and enjoying working in an area which, prior to joining the organisation, was something of which I had very little experience except with my late father when he had mouth cancer and lost his sense of taste.

Michael Caines MBE DL

 Chef Owner Michael Caines Collection

Title of Talk: Michael Caines – The Art of Flavour            

 Michael Caines MBE, chef patron of Lympstone Manor, is known as one of Britain’s most celebrated and acclaimed Michelinstarred chefs.

Having grown up in the South West of England, Michael has earned a global reputation for his distinctive modern cuisine,
which champions the finest local produce and suppliers, combined with influences from his global travels.

After attending a local Catering College in Exeter Michael’s talent was evident and this was followed by three years at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons with Raymond Blanc. He then furthered his experience travelling to France to study under Bernard Loiseau and Joël Robuchon.

In 1994 Michael returned to the UK to take up the position of head chef at Gidleigh Park in his home county of Devon. It was at Gidleigh that Michael achieved two Michelin stars. Both of which he retained for 18 years and earned within just four After 21 years at Gidleigh, in April 2017 Michael struck out on his own, opening Lympstone Manor – the luxury 21- bedroom country house hotel in a Grade II Georgian mansion in East Devon.

Lympstone achieved its first Michelin star within six months of opening. The hotel now holds 5 AA Rosettes as of the AA Hospitality Awards 2020. Keen to keep Lympstone fresh, Michael has built a vineyard on site, overlooking the Exe estuary and featuring approximately 17,500 vines. Lympstone is also the home to motoring festival – Celebration of Speed- an annual event commemorating Michael’s love of all things motoring.

In 2006 Michael was awarded an MBE for contributions and services to the hospitality industry and made a Freeman of the City of Exeter for his work impassioning the hospitality industry in the local area. Michael also created the Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College – of which he is alumnus – as well as The Michael Caines Foundation which supports numerous charities including Families for Children, Farms for City Children, The Exeter Foundation, One for the Boys, WESC and Devon Wildlife Trust.

Firmly rooting himself in the South West, Michael’s other projects include The Cove Restaurant and Bar at Maenporth, The Harbourside Refuge in Porthleven and 2021 will welcome a fourth site, Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant on the Exmouth shoreside.

Michael is a familiar face on television, appearing regularly on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, Great British Menu and MasterChef and has authored a cookbook, Michael Caines at Home. He is an AA Chef’s Chef of the Year and has cooked at 10 Downing Street as well as being partner and ambassador for the Williams Formula 1 Motor Racing team, overseeing catering for the Grand Prix across the globe. Michael is also the co-founder of UK hotel chain, aBode and the Chef Representative of luxury hotel group, Relais & Chateaux, of which Lympstone is a proud member. More recently, Michael created a selection of all-natural flavours for premium US-based CBD soda brand, Isca.

www.michaelcaines.com

Media enquiries:
For further information please contact [email protected]

Professor Ali Khurram

Panel Session Title: Pathologists, the invisible companion in your cancer journey

Title of Talk: Digital technologies for head and neck cancer diagnosis     

Ali Khurram is a Professor and Consultant Pathologist at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK. He is passionate about raising the profile of Pathology as a specialty and raising awareness of head and neck cancers. He is a Patron for The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Charity.

Professor Khurram has a number of local, regional and national leadership roles including Clinical lead for the local/regional Diagnostic Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service, Secretary of the British Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (BSOMP), Digital Advisor for the Pathological Society of Great Britain & Ireland and Deputy Chair of the NCRI’s Salivary Gland working group. He is also the Training Programme Director for the specialty in Yorkshire and was awarded the 2022 Golden Microscope Medal for his contribution to pathology training and education.

Professor Khurram is actively involved in research with numerous ongoing projects investigating head and neck cancer and pre-cancer as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence in diagnosis and prediction of prognosis.

You can find out more about him using the links below:

https://twitter.com/sakhurram

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/dentalschool/our-people/academic-staff/syed-ali-khurram

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-khurram/

https://www.sth.nhs.uk/news/news?action=view&newsID=1481

Catherine Holborn

MSc; BSc (Hons); PGCert

Panel Session Title: Acute and Late Effects of Radiotherapy            

Catherine is professionally registered as a Therapeutic Radiographer and worked clinically, within

Radiotherapy, between 1998 and 2003. In 2003, she joined Sheffield Hallam University as a senior lecturer within their Radiotherapy & Oncology team.

The majority of Catherine’s workload is in the post-registration/post-graduate setting, delivering education to qualified practitioners, from a range of professional backgrounds, working within the cancer setting. The focus of her education predominantly focuses on topics related to cancer survivorship and personalised cancer care.

She is passionate about using education to promote best practice in this field. She has a particular interest in strategies that help people to manage, and cope with, the long-term impact of cancer and its treatment. In 2022, Catherine also took on the role of

Training & Education Lead at Sheffield Hallam’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) where work is undertaken to develop innovations that help people to move and improve their quality of life.

Peter Cousens

Panel Session Title: Laryngectomy my voice 

Title of Talk: Joining the club                

I was born in South West London in 1946, attending Battersea County School.

I have spent most of my working life in the dairy industry. First in London managing a Distributive Retail Depot in Shepherds Bush, then after meeting Chris and moving to Devon in 1979, I worked for St Ivel/Daws dairy as a Territory Manager covering Devon and Cornwall.

I took early retirement in 2001. As I owned an old 1951 London Bus I decided to go part time bus driving which I did until I was made a member of this club in 2013.

I was diagnosed with Cancer of the Larynx November 2011 and was given laser and radiotherapy over the Christmas and New year 2011/12 but unfortunately the Cancer returned in July 2013 when I had a full laryngectomee.

Tommy Walsh

TV Presenter/DIY Expert

Title of Talk: My Personal Experience of Throat Cancer

Tommy is best known for his presenting role in Ground Force alongside Charlie and Alan.  Educated at Parmiter’s School, then a grammar school in Bethnal Green, Walsh became a builder and first came to public attention after appearing in the BBC television gardening programme Ground Force. He stayed with the show for the rest of its run, from 1997 to 2005.

His hard landscaping and building knowledge and skills led him to go onto film Fix It Yourself” for Discovery Real Time in 2010 and his series, “Fix Your House for Free” made in 2009 for Discovery Real Time was another successful series.  In 2007 Tommy and his team pushed their talent and dexterity right to the edge, going beyond anything he has previously attempted on TV, with the task of building a new home in 60 days for £60K.  It was built in the most eco and cost-friendly manner as possible, with construction materials which take into account eco benefits, cost, availability and ease of use.  Recently Tommy Walsh was back on our screens on BBC1 presenting “Cowboys & Angels”.

His book DIY Survival on publication made it into the UK’s bestsellers list and he  subsequently published 4 project books;  Kitchen DIY, Bathroom DIY, Outdoor DIY and Living Spaces DIY.

He presently lives in South Hackney, with his wife and three children and in addition to his television work runs his own building business.

Tommy had a small acting role in the film One.  He is Patron of the “Stairway to Heaven Memorial Trust”, and is the subject of the song “Tommy Walsh’s Eco House” on the 2011 album 90 Bisodol (Crimond) by the band Half Man Half Biscuit. He has also appeared on Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank amongst other TV guest appearances

Miss Tamsin Longley

Senior Occupational Therapist, The Royal Marsden Hospital

Panel Session Title: Looking Beyond H&N Cancer

Title of Talk: Time to talk about cognition      

Tamsin Longley is a Senior Occupational Therapist The Royal Marsden Hospital Foundation trust (RMH).

She works as a clinical member of the Occupational Therapy department and is also committed to quality improvement and patient-centred care.

In 2018, she was awarded the Churchill Fellowship in order to gain a better understanding into the research and therapeutic interventions available for individuals experiencing cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI) following cancer and cancer treatment.

As a result Since 2021 and with support from the Royal Marsden cancer charity, Tamsin has now been running an adapted UK version of the ‘Emerging from the HazeTM’ programme for patient’s experiencing CRCI, initially built by Dr Arash Asher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, with promising results so far.

Emma Kinloch,

Director, Salivary Gland Cancer UK

Title of Talk: Meeting the unmet needs for Salivary Gland Cancers in the UK and beyond                  

Emma Kinloch is the founder of Salivary Gland Cancer UK (SGC UK), a unique collaboration between a patient advocate and medical oncologist. SGC UK is focussed on building a network of those affected by, treating and researching rare salivary gland cancers in the UK and beyond, pushing forwards research and providing reliable information.

Internationally Emma represents salivary gland cancers as a Patient Advisor to the EURACAN rare head and neck cancer domain, a member of the International Rare Cancer Initiative (IRCI) and a Non-Executive Director of a US based Research Foundation.

In all these roles she is focussed on collaboration, co-production and ensuring the patient/public voice is fully integrated into research from strategy and priority setting, through delivery, to output, evaluation, and dissemination.

Emma studied Experimental Psychology at Corpus Christi Oxford, holds an MSc in Criminology and Masters in Organisational Psychology.

Michael J Passineau, PhD

Vice President and Head of Salivary Gland Therapeutics

MeiraGTx

Title of Talk: Results of a phase 1 open-label, dose escalation study of gene therapy with AAV2-hAQP1 as treatment for radiation‑induced xerostomia and parotid gland hypofunction            

2021- Present, Vice President and Head of Salivary Gland Therapeutics, MeiraGTx (NASDAQ:MGTX).  MeiraGTx is a global gene therapy company with corporate headquarters in New York City, and primary manufacturing facilities in London and Shannon, Ireland.  MeiraGTx develops and manufacturers and develops gene therapy vectors in inherited retinal diseases (partnership with Janssen), central nervous system disorders and salivary gland dysfunction.  My role encompasses oversight of clinical drug development and research for the company’s lead candidate, AAV2-hAQP1, a gene therapy agent intended to treat radiation-induced xerostomia and Sjogren’s disease, as well as other undisclosed therapeutic candidates.  AAV2-hAQP1 completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in March 2023, and the company has begun dosing a Phase 2 trial in June, 2023.

Formerly 13 years at Allegheny Health Network, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh Campus (Allegheny General Hospital).  Retired as full Professor, Drexel University CoM, in 2021.

BA in Chemistry/Bible – Cedarville University

PhD (Neuroscience) – University of Miami

Post-doctoral fellowship – University of Alabama at Birmingham

2021- Present, Vice President and Head of Salivary Gland Therapeutics, MeiraGTx (NASDAQ:MGTX).  MeiraGTx is a global gene therapy company with corporate headquarters in New York City, and primary manufacturing facilities in London and Shannon, Ireland.  MeiraGTx develops and manufacturers and develops gene therapy vectors in inherited retinal diseases (partnership with Janssen), central nervous system disorders and salivary gland dysfunction.  My role encompasses oversight of clinical drug development and research for the company’s lead candidate, AAV2-hAQP1, a gene therapy agent intended to treat radiation-induced xerostomia and Sjogren’s disease, as well as other undisclosed therapeutic candidates.  AAV2-hAQP1 completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in March 2023, and the company has begun dosing a Phase 2 trial in June, 2023.

Formerly 13 years at Allegheny Health Network, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh Campus (Allegheny General Hospital).  Retired as full Professor, Drexel University CoM, in 2021.

BA in Chemistry/Bible – Cedarville University

PhD (Neuroscience) – University of Miami

Post-doctoral fellowship – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Sid Platt

Title of Talk: “Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs”                       

75 years young East Ender – former (un)civil servant, public sector Trade Union bureaucrat (Nalgo/Unison), Midlands TUC Chair, and Local authorities chief executive (West Midlands Local Government Association WMLGA).

My future careers are behind me as my work avoidance programme is proceeding well! (with the exception of my commitment to the Swallows cancer recovery groups).

Now living in Cornwall on grandparenting duties, boating, travelling and playing golf enthusiastically (and often referred to as “Lazarus” when I win)    

Nicola Freeman

BSc (HONS) RADIOTHERAPY & ONCOLOGY, MSc ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE RADIOTHERAPY & ONCOLOGY

Panel Session Title: Managing acute side effects of radiotherapy treatment

I qualified as a therapeutic radiographer in 2003, and progressed up to superintendent radiographer in 2015 incorporating H&N specialist duties as part of my role.

This involved supporting service users and their families throughout, and beyond their treatment journey providing specialist advice and care.

Throughout this time, I have acquired knowledge and skills to further my expertise and developed networking skills with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure our service users receive the best possible holistic care appropriate to their individual needs.

In 2021 I completed my master’s degree, with my dissertation focussing on prehabillitation for HNCa, following a service user evaluation about their needs and the service provisions.

Following on from this, I was fortunate to be appointed to H&N consultant radiographer, and for the past year and a half I have been working to reduce the oncologist time, and improve efficiency of the pathway throughout our service.

I am passionate about enabling service users to optimise their health and well-being pre-, and during treatment, and highly motivated to facilitate a better quality of life post-treatment.

Richard Cave

Speech and Language Therapist

Panel Session Title: Head & Neck Cancers latest technology

Title of Talk: Using technology to be better understood when speech has changed    

Richard Cave is a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) based in the UK, PhD candidate at UCL, national adviser to Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for voice banking, Ambassador to the Mouth Cancer Foundation and recipient of the 2022 Allied Professional award from the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.

Richard works with Google, providing specialist SLT consultancy to the Relate, Euphonia, Look to Speak, Activate projects.

He also works with the MND Association, providing training and practical support for voice banking and communication technology.

Prior to qualification as a SLT, he worked in the IT industry for 18 years.

Dr Paul Hankinson, BDS, BMedSci, MFDS RCPSG, PGCert MedEd

Panel Session Title:Pathologists, the invisible companion in your cancer journey

Title of Talk: Pathologists, with you from the first step of your journey

I am an academic clinical fellow in oral and maxillofacial pathology with research interests in discovering saliva tests for head and neck cancers and precancers.

I graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2017 before working in a general dental practice for one year followed by two years in an oral and maxillofacial (head and neck) surgery team. During that time, I assisted in theatre and managed patients with head and neck cancers on the ward and in clinics after discharge.

I am now in training in pathology, the specialists who look at patients tissue (for example from a biopsy) to diagnose head and neck diseases. I lead a clinical study recruiting patients to see if we can develop a saliva-based test for head and neck cancers and pre-cancers.

As well as my clinical and research roles I teach dental students, postgraduate dental/medical trainees and general dentists about head and neck cancer. 

James Leinhardt

Title of Talk: The Goldilocks sleep conundrum

James Leinhardt, has a wealth of knowledge in night-time postural care and has designed class-one medical devices to manage the posture for clients suffering with complex neurological illness and injury.

He works with NHS trusts and social care throughout the UK and his nighttime system has reached clients as far as the Middle East and Australia.

Working with client groups such as catastrophic brain injury, MS, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke survivors, James feels a social obligation and strong sense of purpose to care and improve the lives of patients in medical difficulty and the wider public.

You can also find him public speaking and on the TV (most recently on Channel4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch) to spread the message of the importance of sleep posture, or on TikTok, where his sleep positioning tips have amassed a loyal following.

James also guest lectures at Universities across the UK and US and is a Honorary Lecturer at the School of Sport and Health Sciences within the University of Central Lancashire.

He is passionate about spreading the message of the importance of sleep posture as a clinical intervention to the next generations of nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Emma Hallam, Macmillan Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer 

Title of Talk: Acute & Late Effects of Radiotherapy Treatment

In 2013 Emma, a Macmillan Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer at The Nottingham Radiotherapy Centre developed and now leads the award winning Macmillan Nottingham Radiotherapy Late Effects Clinic. This bespoke service, the first if its kind within the UK helps patients with any physical or psychological late effects that patients may have as a consequence from their treatment.

In 2019 she developed the service further to include the follow up of head and neck radiotherapy patients using patient reported outcome measures and digital technology and it is here where Emma helps to provide rehabilitation, identify early lymphoedema and other late effects with the intention of providing help and support before these consequences have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life.

Emma is also an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield University providing education and expert clinical guidance on personalised care and living with and beyond cancer

Offering a holistic approach, helping patients live well with and beyond cancer and education on late effects to both patients and health professionals is Emma’s key focus and area if interest.

Denise Rudgley,

Retired RGN, RHV, MSc in Public Health

Title of  Talk: ‘Head and Neck Cancers Matter’                                                         

Qualified in 1975 from the Royal Air Force as a State Registered Nurse and went on to specialise in Intensive Care Nursing which I did for approximately 20 years around the UK and in the Middle East (Sultanate of Oman) where I was also Matron of a military hospital for head and spinal injuries. I was a practising Health Visitor for approximately 10 years, which included running a Health Visiting Service in the Middle East for 3 of those.

On return to the UK, I was professional lead/advisor to other agencies in respect of health and homeless issues and seconded to the UK Public Health Association for 1 year to co-ordinate the ‘Health Visiting Matters’ national project. After gaining my MSc in Public Health, I have been involved in a variety of research and evaluation projects, including a collaboration with Plymouth and Exeter Universities as a visiting lecturer for the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Courses, and Southwest Public Health Trainee programme.

Alongside my working life I also been Mayor and Chair of our local Town Council.

Happily married to Andy who I met over the bonnet of a rally car which continued to fuel a lifelong love of motorsport.

Chris Lewis, CEO of Chris’s Cancer Community and COO of SimPal

Title of Talk: The unseen discrimination of cancer

Chris was a self-employed Business Consultant for many years until being diagnosed in 2007, with a stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma, with a 6-month prognosis.

He received a donor stem-cell transplant but was unable to work regularly afterwards, due to frequent bouts of differing GvHD. He decided to spend the rest of his life empowering people going through what he had experienced. Chris is now one of the most influential cancer patients in the world.

Having seen the many challenges for people living with cancer, Chris works with numerous global organisations to aid better collaboration in the sector. He runs his own very successful website (www.chris-cancercommunity.com) and his innovative charity, (www.yoursimpal.com) Enabling people in the UK affected by cancer, long term health issues, and poverty, to stay digitally connected for free.

Successful collaboration is key to this work, and Chris is a frequent keynote speaker and writer across the world. He also has a powerful presence on Twitter @christheeagle1  

Dr. Eliska Rotnaglova, PhD

TITLE OF TALK: Head and neck cancer treatment in the PTC Prague

Eliška is working as an ENT consultant for head and neck cancer patients treated in Proton Therapy Centre in Prague.

She worked for many years at The Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the 1st

Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Faculty Hospital Motol in Prague. There she gained most of her experience with head and neck cancer patients.

At the clinic she also completed her postgradual degree focused on the role of HPV in oropharyngeal carcinogenesis

Her task at the conferrence is to give an overview of the care of head and neck cancer patients at Proton Therapy Centre in Prague.

Denise Hardy

TITLE OF TALK: Lymphoedema      

With a background in palliative care, lymphoedema has been a focal point in my nursing career for the last 33 years.

Having set up numerous clinics within the NHS, I have more recently established Kendal Lymphology Centre (KLC) – an independent clinic, providing NHS care for 2 Health authorities.

We have seen over 4000 patients since it opened in 2005 and see patients suffering from all types of lymphoedema, lipoedema and children if necessary.

Receiving numerous awards over the years, the Chronic Oedema Nurse of the year award in 2019 was very special – as was the rating of “outstanding” following the recent Care Quality Commission inspection.

I have also written work for publication – the latest in conjunction with the Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN) entitled “Your Lymphoedema – taking back control”.

Providing training and education is also important to me locally, nationally, and internationally – Kenya particularly, educating Health Care Professionals to manage breast cancer related lymphoedema.

And with an interest in advancing the successful treatment of lymphoedema patients who have cancer, I have a particular interest in helping those associated with head and neck cancer which so often negatively impacts on patients’ quality of life.

More information about our service can be found on our website: www.kendal-lymphology.co.uk

Nahuel Villegas, CSO

PANEL SESSION: Discover the unknown

TITLE OF TALK: Identification of tailored anti-cancer treatments using patient’s specific avatars coupled with in vivo high-throughput drug screenings

Dr. Nahuel Villegas is Chief Scientific Officer at Vivan Therapeutics. 

He obtained his PhD in Biological Sciences from University of La Plata (Argentina). Afterwards, he trained in embryonic stem cells and developmental biology at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (University of Edinburgh, UK), and later in cancer research at the Institute for Neuroscience (CSIC-University Miguel Hernandez, Spain). 

He has broad expertise modelling human tumourigenic processes in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to study druggable conserved oncogenic targets.

His work bridges basic and translational science, combining cancer genetic analysis with in vivo high-throughput drug discovery strategies aimed to find novel pharmacological anti-cancer cocktails for personalised therapy.

Catherine Holborn

PANEL SESSION: Survivorship & Late Effects in Head & Neck Cancer

Catherine is professionally registered as a Therapeutic Radiographer and worked clinically, within Radiotherapy, between 1998 and 2003.

In 2003, she joined Sheffield Hallam University as a senior lecturer within their Radiotherapy & Oncology team.

The majority of Catherine’s workload is in the post-registration/ post-graduate setting, delivering education to qualified practitioners, from a range of professional backgrounds, working within the cancer setting.

The focus of her education predominantly focuses on topics related to cancer survivorship and personalised cancer care.

She is passionate about using education to promote best practice in this field.

She has a particular interest in strategies that help people to manage, and cope with, the long-term impact of cancer and its treatment.

In 2022, Catherine also took on the role of Training & Education Lead at Sheffield Hallam’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) where work is undertaken to develop innovations that help people to move and improve their quality of life.

Louise Rogerson

PANEL SESSION: Innovation “Pillow Talk”

Louise is a Chartered Physiotherapist who specialises in neurology with over 25 years clinical experience.  

Louise now runs her own physiotherapy business working with people in their own homes to maximise recovery and maintain function in the face of progressive neurological diseases. 

Louise has a particular interest in posture and the use of sleep posture to improve function and outcomes for her patients.

Louise worked as a commissioner within the NHS in Greater Manchester which included the development of cancer pathways at a system level. 

During this time Louise developed an interest in the long-term effects of cancer and the impact on an individual and their families. 

Louise is working as the Clinical Lead on the Sleep Posture Campaign seeking to develop a range of products and support materials to help people achieve a good posture in bed, investigate the potential for treating postural disorders through sleep positioning, and bring sleep posture management into standard healthcare pathways. 

Sarah Sheard

PANEL SESSION: Caregivers Educating the Health Professional

Sarah has a background as a project manager specialising in marketing and events working across languages and borders. 

Sarah’s experience with Head & Neck cancer began at the end of 2017 when her husband Ben was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer located in his left tonsil, roof of mouth and lymph node.  At the time he was only given a 50% chance of survival but thankfully, following treatment of radio and chemotherapy, and with his incredible determination and zest for life, Ben smashed these odds and is now a proud Advocate for the Swallows.

She lives in a quiet rural village where she also a trustee for a dog rescue charity raising awareness and much needed funds.  Her “home” time is split between looking after her two crazy dogs and even crazier husband.

“The opportunity to support The Swallows and reduce the likelihood of other patients and caregivers experiencing the same challenges we did with getting the initial appointments, and information throughout treatment, is why it gives me great pleasure to support this amazing charity”

Isabel Hill

PANEL SESSION: Caregivers Educating the Health Professional

Now retired – I worked in the education sector as a Primary School teacher in Scotland and then East London, and later as an Adult Literacy tutor.  Also worked in the Civil Service.

I have been a caregiver for my husband since 2013.  He is a Trustee of Swallows and I have recently been a member of The Swallows Caregiver Project group.

Derek Lewthwaite

PANEL SESSION: Caregivers Educating the Health Professional

Derek is 67 years old and retired, having spent most of his working life in sales and marketing roles for various manufacturing and distribution companies in the UK. His wife was diagnosed with mouth cancer in October 2018, and it was at that time he became aware of The Swallows Charity as well as the start of his journey as a carer.

It was a relatively short journey as his wife lost her battle against the cancer in May 2019, but it was packed with highs and lows and good and bad experiences of a typical head and neck cancer carer in the UK.

It is from those experiences that he decided to become an advocate for carers in an effort to try to improve both communication with and acceptance of head and neck cancer carers within the treatment system.

James Leinhardt

PANEL SESSION: Innovation “Pillow Talk”

TITLE OF TALK : A good night’s sleep: fact or fiction?     

James Leinhardt is a Sleep Posture Expert, with a wealth of knowledge in nighttime positioning in healthcare.

James has designed class-one medical devices to manage the posture for clients suffering with complex neurological illness and injury.

Most recently, he developed a Conscious Patient Proning Kit and Guide, in partnership with the Intensive Care Unit at Lancs Teaching Hospital and University of Central Lancashire.

He works with NHS Trusts and local authorities, all the way through to professional sports clubs and large multinationals, in line with his mission to educate the world about the importance of sleep posture and giving people the tools to improve it.

Crystal Coe

PANEL SESSION: Laryngectomy “Hear My Voice”

Hi, I’m Crystal I am the University of Derby and Burton Hospital’s first ever Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy nurse.

I have a big passion for Head and Neck and have worked alongside patients with Head and Neck cancers for 10 years now.

I qualified in 2012 as a registered nurse started out on the Head and Neck ward, became ward sister in 2017 and in 2022 got the secondment post to set up a brand-new service to care for patients with a Tracheostomy or a Laryngectomy within the acute setting, with hopes to branch off into the community as this is where patient’s feel most vulnerable and alone.

I want to be the support system for not only my patient’s but their families/careers.

I have lots of plans for going into the future and can’t wait to develop a new service and ensure patient safety and experience is at the forefront.

Ben Sheard

PANEL SESSION: Laryngectomy “Hear My Voice”

Ben is a stage 4 cancer survivor and has been an advocate for the Swallows for several years.

Having worked for many years in IT, and more latterly Cyber Security, 

Bens’ visits to the gym weren’t as frequent as they once were.  However, using cancer as a force for good, he restarted at the gym to regain, strength, mental balance and general fitness and soon made such an impression he was invited to train and become part of the personal training team. 

Taking this to the next level he is now a fully qualified fitness professional as well as a qualified massage therapist and helps people on their journey towards a healthier happier life and does this alongside the day job of Cyber Security.

Ben is no stranger to chairing these forums and is a regular at the Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Conference.

“I have known Chris since the early days of my cancer journey, and chance to help support this fantastic charity and the speakers is always an honour and a pleasure, however, never forget laughter is the best medicine and lets see where this goes.”- Ben Sheard

Lauren V Wood, MD

PANEL SESSION: New Drugs & Techniques in Head & Neck Cancer

TITLE OF TALK : VERSATILE-002: PDS0101 plus Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Recurrent/Metastatic HPV16 Positive HNSCC                                                

Dr. Wood is an immunology expert with over 30 years research experience in the development of novel immune-based oncology and infectious disease vaccines and therapeutics. 

She joined PDS Biotechnology as Chief Medical Officer in February 2019 and oversees clinical development of the novel, immune activating Versamuneâ and InfectimuneÔ technology platform for oncology and infectious disease indications, respectively.  

Prior to joining PDS, Dr. Wood was most recently the Clinical Director of the Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute. 

While there she oversaw the translational development of immune-based therapies for both cancer and HIV infection and was a co-inventor of two patented therapeutic cancer vaccines targeting the TARP and HER2 tumor antigens. 

During her extensive tenure at the National Institutes of Health she conducted clinical research investigating antiretroviral, anti-infective, oncologic and immunomodulatory therapies in both adults and children.  

Trained in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals with subspecialty training in Allergy and Immunology from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Wood received her M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine and B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College.

Pillow Talk

 

There are a million things that can ruin your sleep when you’re battling cancer: radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, a dry mouth, nerve damage, anxiety and/or pain. 

Optimising your sleep posture is the simplest way to improve your sleep quality, giving your body the best chance of recovery and allowing you a decent night’s rest.

Learn how to significantly improve your sleep with simple and practical tips. 

Chris Curtis, Swallows’ founder, says: “Not sleeping properly for over 10 years, it was fantastic to find Levitex. Now I sleep throughout the night, every night”.

Join this session to listen to more Pillow Talk.

 

Mike Nugent

PANEL SESSION: Discover the unknown

PANEL SESSION: Patient & Health Professionals in collaboration

I’ve been an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon based at Sunderland Royal Hospital since 2013. 

I am originally from Liverpool having moved to the Northeast in 2009. 

I developed an interest in Head and Neck cancer while I was a trainee working at Sunderland and was delighted to be offered a job there at the end of my training. 

Head and neck cancer treatments take a high toll on patients and their carers.

 Head and neck cancer clinicians also face challenges.

There is quite rightly much focus on ways to avoid, reduce or mitigate some of the troublesome effects of head and neck cancer care. 

In the Northeast we have made a number of contributions to this. 

We hope we can follow in the footsteps of previous hosts, contributing to a conference which informs, inspires and engages.

Mike Nugent

I’ve been an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon based at Sunderland Royal Hospital since 2013. 

I am originally from Liverpool having moved to the Northeast in 2009. 

I developed an interest in Head and Neck cancer while I was a trainee working at Sunderland and was delighted to be offered a job there at the end of my training. 

Head and neck cancer treatments take a high toll on patients and their carers.

 Head and neck cancer clinicians also face challenges.

There is quite rightly much focus on ways to avoid, reduce or mitigate some of the troublesome effects of head and neck cancer care. 

In the Northeast we have made a number of contributions to this. 

We hope we can follow in the footsteps of previous hosts, contributing to a conference which informs, inspires and engages. 

Val Bryant

Val spent 37 years in education initially as a nursery schoolteacher and later as a deputy head teacher in a primary school. During this time, she took extra courses and qualifications, always looking to improve her own experience and that of her pupils.

Val had to take early retirement in 2010 after treatment for Head and Neck cancer left her with several difficulties such as swallowing, difficulty eating and speaking dry mouth and fatigue making teaching young children all but impossible.

After two years and feeling like she wanted a new challenge she took part in a study involving H&N cancer patients and their altered eating experience. This led to her attending a short course in qualitative analysis and working on more head and neck cancer studies in subsequent years. She is co-author on several papers and currently a co applicant on 4 more studies.

In 2017 she was presented with a Giving Voice award by the Countess of Wessex on behalf of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for her work around dysphagia.

In 2020 she was invited to be a member of a newly formed PPI strategy group at the Policy Research Unit in Behavioural Science at Newcastle University.

She is a Research Champion at her local NHS foundation trust supporting the Research and Innovation team.

Val leads a small group of head and neck patients who like her are interested in improving future prospects for patients during and after their treatment. They have continued to meet online during the pandemic, when necessary, to support head and neck studies, giving the patient voice.

A mum of 3 and granny to 7 she enjoys going on long walks with her husband and their labradoodle. She likes to spend time with her grandchildren including the 3 who live in USA and also enjoys days out with her friends.

She feels very fortunate to have been able to replace the passion she had for teaching young children with a new passion for helping future head and neck patients.

Early detection tools in the fight against Head & Neck Cancer 

This session will bring together innovation and latest blood testing to help with Early diagnoses, helping the NHS to achieve their goal of 75% of all Head & Neck Cancer being diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028 

‘Laryngectomy ‘hear my voice’ 

Feedback we had last year was that we needed to bring in the voice of our Laryngectomy family and we have listened.

This year we have two great speakers, a survivor all the way from the USA and a nurse from the UK who will be talking about her new role and the benefit it brings to her patients. 

Patient & Health Professionals in collaboration 

Our Keynote speaker focuses on patient centred decision making, informed consent and functional outcomes after cancer treatment. His clinical work centres on developing safe processes of care, reducing inequality and developing the roles of Allied Healthcare Professionals and trainee surgeons. 

Latest Research in Head & Neck Cancer 

It is important that every year at the conference we look to showcase new research and this year is no exception. 

Dr Linda McCabe-white will be talking about her work in head & neck cancer and the impact on the sexuality. 

New Drugs & Techniques in Head & Neck Cancer 

Dr Lauren V. Wood (USA),  Dr. Wood joined PDS Biotech as Chief Medical Officer in February 2019. 

She is responsible for clinical development of the novel, immune activating Versamune®platform-based product pipeline that address a broad spectrum of solid tumours, including PDS Bio’s lead clinical candidate PDS0101 targeting HPV-related cancers.  

Dr Sam Whitehouse will be talking about light activated target therapies in the fight against Oral Cancer using a drug that is activated by a specific wavelength of light. 

 

Caregivers Educating the Health Professional 

The purpose of training and educating you the health professional is to ensure both individual understanding and a team approach with real life caregiver shared knowledge, issues, and thoughts towards the approach of dealing with a caregiver. 

 

Quote 

‘Housewife, partner, mother, family day before diagnoses then overnight on diagnoses needing to become a nurse, take on other roles as well as looking after his/herself.’ Caregiver  

 

Survivorship & Late Effects in Head & Neck Cancer 

Survivors may experience a mixture of strong feelings, including joy, concern, relief, guilt, fear, and a number of side effects that have an impact on Quality of Life. 

In this session we will explore what side effects can have a long term impact to the patient and caregiver and how to deal with these. 

Quote: 

“Survivorship is not survivorship, without quality of life” Chris Curtis, H&N cancer survivor 

Steve Cooper

PANEL SESSION: Laryngectomy “Hear My Voice”

I am a resident of the state of Maryland, USA. I’m married to my beautiful wife Robin, whom I met over 49 years ago. 

I underwent a Total Laryngectomy in February 2019 and my Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) placement in September 2019. 

I own, and manage a wholesale food brokerage business. I’m a current or former board member of; The Governor’s Board of Telecommunication Relay (Maryland), Lary’s Speakeasy Laryngectomee Cancer Support Group, 

The Laryngectomee Club of Montgomery County Maryland,

The International Association of Laryngectomees, WebWhispers and I’m a mentor for Imerman Angels Cancer Support Group.

I was licensed in Real Estate, and held the National Association of Security Dealers Series 7, Series 63 and Series 65 securities licenses.

Because of the early help and ongoing mentoring that I received from many of the wonderful members of the Laryngectomee community, I have been instilled with a heartfelt desire to assist other Laryngectomees or family members in any way that I can.

I continually welcome the opportunity to meet with new patients, family members, Speech Pathologists and others, and to be a staunch advocate in the Laryngectomee community. 

I have met with many new laryngectomees, pre or post operatively and always find it to be a very rewarding experience

Dr Ali Khurram

PANEL SESSION: Caregivers Educating the Health Professional

PANEL SESSION: Innovation “Pillow Talk”

Dr Ali Khurram is a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Pathologist at the University of Sheffield, UK and a patron of the Swallows. 

He is the Clinical lead for his speciality in Sheffield and Training Programme Director for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology for Yorkshire. 

He also holds numerous National leadership roles including the Secretary of the British Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a Digital Advisor for the Pathological Society for Great Britain and Ireland. 

In addition to his clinical work and expertise, he is an active academic and researcher working on multiple national and international multi-centre collaborative projects related to head and neck cancer.

Sam Whitehouse

PANEL SESSION: New Drug Techniques in Head & Neck Cancer

TITLE OF TALK : Early Treatment Pathways for Oral Epithelial Dysplasia

Sam is the CEO of LightOx Ltd who are developing light activated targeted therapies for oral cancer treatments. 

The treatment can be applied topically to the area of interest and the drug is activated by using a specific wavelength of light similar to those used in dental fillings.

Sam is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a history of working in the medical technologies, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. 

Working across a range of industrial applications including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and life sciences, he is also a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Iain Nixon

PANEL SESSION: Early Detection in the Fight Against Cancer 

Iain is a head and neck surgeon in Edinburgh.  

He trained in Glasgow and went on to complete training in Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital London and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.  

Since joining the team in Edinburgh, Iain has developed an interest in clinical trials and has opened a number of studies investigating outcomes from surgical treatment of head and neck cancer to prevention of dry mouth during radiotherapy and treatment of end stage disease.  

Most recently, Iain has led a national trial of liquid biopsy for patients with head and neck cancer in an attempt to define the role of monitoring circulating DNA before during and after treatment of head and neck cancer. 

David Hamilton

PANEL SESSION: Patient & Health Professionals in Collaboration

David is a consultant ENT, head, neck and thyroid surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.  

His research focuses on patient centred decision making, informed consent and functional outcomes after cancer treatment.  

His clinical work centres on developing safe processes of care, reducing inequality and developing the roles of Allied Healthcare Professionals and trainee surgeons. 

He is currently setting up and running the MRC and NIHR funded Laryngeal Cancer Cohort (LARCH), which will open throughout the North of England.  

LARCH collects routine tumour, patient and outcome data and uses this to analyse treatment effectiveness and outcome in cancer of the larynx.

Linda McCabe White

PANEL SESSION: Latest Research in Head & Neck Cancer

TITLE OF TALK : “This one is a bit of a taboo subject” A mixed methods investigation into the Impact of Head & Neck Cancer upon sexuality

I am a Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS. 

For my doctoral research, I spent three years conducting research investigating the impact of Head and Neck Cancer upon sexuality. 

I found this to be an incredibly rewarding experience. 

I now work with children but am still passionate about sharing the results of my research with those who it affects the most.

Alex Fraser

PANEL SESSION: Discover the Unknown 

TITLE OF TALK : Medical Cannabis in the UK

Alex was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2010 at 19 years old. Whilst few traditional therapies were helpful, he found relief for his symptoms in consuming cannabis.

In 2014 he joined other patient advocates to campaign for law change to allow prescribing of cannabis medicines. 

He has featured on national TV and has taken delegations of patients to give testimony in parliament on numerous occasions. 

In Nov 2018, on the back of patient-lead campaigns, the law was finally changed to enable access via private prescription.

After setting up his own consultancy, Alex was hired by Grow Pharma in February 2019. 

He uses his expert knowledge of medical cannabis and patient experience to provide clinical education, improve patient services and develop Grow’s range of medicines.

In 2017 Alex underwent gastro-intestinal surgery, leading to remission of his Crohn’s Disease and life with a colostomy bag. 

Now recovered, Alex works hard to ensure that the UK’s medical cannabis systems work for patients. 

He is passionate about expanding awareness of this most misunderstood plant and its potential in healthcare and sites “wider access to cannabis medicines on the NHS” as a personal goal.

Skip to content