World Head and Neck Cancer Day, which is observed on July 27, is a day dedicated to raising awareness of cancers affecting the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, middle ear and salivary glands. The day is also a reminder that challenges can remain even after cancer treatment ends.
Many people who undergo radiation therapy for head and neck cancers are left with long-term side effects that can affect daily life.
Radiation therapy can damage healthy tissues as well as cancer cells, leading to a dry mouth, poor wound healing, jaw stiffness, pain, and in some cases, damage to nearby bones.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT ), a non-invasive treatment that adheres to the strictest safety standards, supports the body to repair damaged tissue. HBOT involves breathing almost pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber. More oxygen can then reach areas that are struggling to heal, and this supports the body’s natural repair processes by:
· Stimulating new tissue growth.
· Reducing inflammation or swelling.
· Supporting the body’s defences against infection.
Some clinical studies have shown that HBOT may also improve some of the unpleasant symptoms that can follow radiation therapy for a head or neck cancer, such as having a dry tongue. It was also found to improve speech, swallowing, and overall quality of life.
Our clinic in Galway operates a CE-certified multi-place chamber and adheres to the highest safety standards, and our trained hyperbaric technicians support every client through their sessions.
If you’re having, or have had, radiation therapy for a head or neck cancer, HBOT might be the next step in your recovery. To find out more or to book a consultation, call OxyGeneration today on 091 394 444.
