Patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer at Icon Cancer Centre in South Australia are benefiting from specialised allied health services designed to improve treatment outcomes, quality of life and recovery throughout their cancer journey.
Ahead of World Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day on 27 July, Icon Cancer Centre is highlighting the vital role allied health professionals play in supporting head and neck cancer patients.
Head and neck cancers and their treatment can significantly impact a person's ability to eat, drink, swallow, speak and maintain adequate nutrition. To address these challenges, Icon Cancer Centre provides access to experienced speech pathologist, Dr Lee Pryor and dietitian, Kate Gallasch as part of its multidisciplinary model of care, ensuring patients receive comprehensive support alongside their cancer treatment.
Speech pathology services play a critical role in helping patients manage swallowing and communication difficulties that can arise before, during and after treatment. Dietitians work closely with patients to maintain nutritional health, manage treatment-related side effects and support recovery. These services are particularly important for patients receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery for head and neck cancers.
Icon Cancer Centre Radiation Oncologist, A/Prof Hien Le said the integration of allied health services is essential to delivering truly patient-centred cancer care.
"Our allied health team works closely with patients from diagnosis through treatment and recovery to help minimise side effects, maintain wellbeing and support the best possible outcomes."
"By bringing together cancer specialists, speech pathologists, dietitians and other supportive care professionals, we're able to provide co-ordinated care that addresses the whole patient, not just their cancer."
Head and Neck Cancer Australia CEO, Nadia Rosin agrees.
“Allied health support is essential care for people who have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Treatment can affect a person’s ability to eat, swallow, speak and take part in everyday life, so access to speech pathology, dietetics and other supportive cancer care services can make a life-changing difference to their recovery and help ensure they live well post treatment.”
“We are grateful to Icon Cancer Centre for raising the profile of head and neck cancer in South Australia and for the invaluable support the team provides for people with complex needs beyond treatment.”
For Tennyson local, Paul Channon (60), a chance mention of a lump in his neck during a routine GP visit changed his life.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in January 2024, he underwent surgery to remove cancer from his tonsil, tongue and affected lymph nodes, followed by months of rehabilitation with speech pathology and physiotherapy. Just as he believed the cancer was behind him, a routine 12-month scan in August 2025 revealed it had returned.
With plans already in place to celebrate his 60th birthday on a Mediterranean cruise in September last year, he and his family faced another difficult decision. Supported by the team at Icon Cancer Centre, he cut the trip short and returned home to begin seven weeks of radiotherapy and weekly chemotherapy almost immediately.
Treatment took a significant physical toll, with ongoing challenges eating and swallowing, fatigue, nausea and a total weight loss of 16 kilograms. Throughout his cancer journey, Paul received coordinated support from Icon's multidisciplinary allied health team.
The regular support from my speech pathologist, doctors and nurses meant I never felt like I was facing this alone.
Knowing I could pick up the phone and speak to someone whenever I had concerns gave me enormous confidence throughout treatment.
Now focused on recovery, he hopes his experience encourages others facing a head and neck cancer diagnosis to trust their care team and make the most of the support available.
"Head and neck cancer treatment is tough, but it's short-term pain for long-term gain," he said.
"Stay positive, lean on your family and friends, and don't be afraid to use the allied health services—they make a real difference to your treatment, recovery and quality of life."
Icon Cancer Centres across South Australia also offer custom, open-face immobilisation mesh masks for head, neck and brain cancer radiotherapy patients. This option removes the traditional restrictive closed-face design, allowing for precise real-time tracking while significantly reducing claustrophobia and anxiety.
Icon Cancer Centre has four locations across South Australia: Icon Cancer Centre Adelaide in Kurralta Park, Icon Cancer Centre North Adelaide, Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens and Icon Cancer Centre Noarlunga.