Complimentary Resources for Clinicians Working with People with Head and Neck Cancer

As an SLP with a special passion for working with people with head and neck cancer (HNC) I can attest to the challenges that can come as providers in understanding current literature, as well as teasing apart the root cause (or causes) of changes in swallow function, communication, and airway integrity for these individuals. At the beginning of my career, in my experience, access to complimentary and even tuition-based courses specific to the evaluation and treatment of this topic were more difficult to come by. In recent years there are many more courses and resources available. Over the years I have frequently been asked what resources I recommend for those interested in learning about evaluating and treating people with HNC. As an advocate for the provision of tools and resources backed by evidence, I wanted to provide learning options that are both complimentary and tuition-based. This blog post includes complimentary resources. For tuition-based options, and open-access publications, please see my additional blog posts.

Complimentary Resources

Establishing a New Normal After Head and Neck Cancer

• Webinar presented by Mario Landera, SLP.D, CCC-SLP, BCS-S hosted by Dysphagia Cafe

• https://dysphagiacafe.com/enrichment-webinar/establishing-a-new-normal-after-head-and-neck-cancer/

Examining Dysphagia from the Perspectives of Head and Neck Cancer Survivors and Carers

• Written by Dr. Rebecca Nund available via Dysphagia Cafe

• https://dysphagiacafe.com/2014/05/28/examining-dysphagia-from-the-perspectives-of-head-and-neck-cancer-survivors-and-carers/

Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome: Functional Impairments in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

• Presented by Dr. Stubblefield via Tactile Medical

• https://tactilemedical.com/lymphedema-resources/radiation-fibrosis-syndrome-functional-impairments-in-head-and-neck-cancer-survivors/

Rehabilitation and Survivorship Considerations in Head and Neck Cancer

• Presented by Dr. Ron Karni via Tactile Medical

• https://tactilemedical.com/lymphedema-resources/rehabilitation-and-survivorship-considerations-in-head-and-neck-cancer/

The Role of the SLP and Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Treating Head and Neck Cancer Patients

• Presented by Julie Green OTR/L, CLT-LANA, WCC, CLWT and Brooke Beilman, MS, CCC-SLP via Tactile Medical

• https://tactilemedical.com/lymphedema-resources/the-role-of-the-slp-and-interdisciplinary-collaboration-for-treating-head-and-neck-cancer-patients/

The Mental Health Journey for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: How We All Play a Role

• Presented by Erin Kollada MS,CCC-SLP, Julia Porter MS, CCC-SLP, MPH, CLT, and Amber Peck, Social Worker via Tactile Medical

• https://tactilemedical.com/lymphedema-resources/the-mental-health-journey-for-head-and-neck-cancer-survivors-how-we-all-play-a-role/

Resources to Support the use of Manual Therapy

• Created and available from Walt Fritz, PT

• https://waltfritzseminars.com/resources-2-2/research/

Best Practices for Treating Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

• Presented by Joy Hesse, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S via Tactile Medical

• https://tactilemedical.com/lymphedema-resources/best-practices-for-treating-head-and-neck-cancer-survivors/

Episode 13: Head and Neck Lymphedema

• Guest speaker Brad Smith, SLP, CLT via the Lymphedema Podcast

• https://lymphedemapodcast.com/episode-13-head-and-neck-lymphedema/

2023 Lymphedema Podcast Season 5: Episode 2

• Guest speaker Brooke Beilman, MS, CCC-SLP via the Lymphedeam Podcast

• https://lymphedemapodcast.com/2023-lymphedema-podcast-season-5-episode-2/

LANA Certified SLPs? Count us in!

• Guest speaker Mallory Moore, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, CLT-LANA via the Swallow Your Pride Podcast

• https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/242-lana-certified-slps-count-us-in/

158: Understanding the Role of Lymphedema in Head and Neck Cancer with Brooke Beilman, MS, CCC-SLP, Clinical Doctorate Student

• Brooke Beilman, MS, CCC-SLP via the Speech Uncensored Podcast

• https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/158

Head and Neck Cancer

• Guest speaker Heather Starmer, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S via the Down the Hatch Podcast

• https://soundcloud.com/down-the-hatch/head-and-neck-cancer

Mastering Manual Therapy with Walt Fritz

• Guest speaker Walt Fritz, PT via the Swallow Your Pride Podcast

• https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/215-mastering-manual-therapy-with-walt-fritz/

Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA – Alphabet Soup – Continuing Your Education after Grad School

• Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA via the Swallow Your Pride Podcast

• https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/112-kelly-salmon-slpd-ccc-slp-bcs-s-clt-lana-alphabet-soup-continuing-your-education-after-grad-school/

167 – Total Laryngectomy 101 Part 1: The Pre-Op Phase – Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC

• Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC via the Swallow Your Pride Podcast

• https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/167-total-laryngectomy-101-part-1-the-pre-op-phase-kelly-salmon-slpd-ccc-slp-bcs-s-clt-lana-ndc/

168 – Total Laryngectomy 101: Part 2 Post-Op – Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC

• Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC via the Swallow Your Pride Podcast

• https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/168-total-laryngectomy-101-part-2-post-op-kelly-salmon-slpd-ccc-slp-bcs-s-clt-lana-ndc/

Head and Neck Cancer

• Written and provided by ASHA: https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/head-and-neck-cancer/

Speaking of social media, check out these wonderful resources on Instagram!

The Swallow Nerd

• Account run by Jessica Gregor, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

• https://www.instagram.com/the_swallow_nerd/?hl=en

UC Dysphagia Case Files

• Account run by UC Davis

• https://www.instagram.com/ucdysphagiacasefiles/?hl=en

I hope this list was helpful. Of note, this list is not exhaustive, just a list that I hope will be beneficial for anyone diving into this topic. If you have a favorite complimentary resource that’s not on this list, please reach out and let me know!