The Voice Issue 6, Autumn 2011 | Page 21

Support Group Profile “It’s actually a support group for anyone who’s affected, whether that’s the patient themselves, their family or their carers.” good local support team – Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dieticians, Speech Therapists etc. Miss Dingle allowed lots of time to answer questions and address comments, and there were plenty of them from the attentive and enthusiastic group. One question that will be of interest to all readers was about the current incidence of head and neck cancer, which Miss Dingle explained is still uncommon - only around 2% of all cancers are head and neck cancers. Sharing resources One of the big benefits of membership of the Leighton group is the regular exchange of information between members. It means everyone benefits from different perspectives on their experience and everyone is keen to share ideas, links and information. Here are some examples, so you can share in the fun too. Member Tim Lloyd has written a testimonial about the value of some complementary therapy he received following on from his treatment. (From our point of view here at The Voice, it would certainly be interesting to compare Tim’s thoughts on complementary medicine to our own investigation back in our very first issue – Tim, if you’re reading we’d love to hear more.) Another member, Len Drysdale brought members’ attention to a very interesting website he’s uncovered about the experiences of a tonsil cancer sufferer, following his journey from diagnosis to treatment and finally, getting the all-clear. Take a look at: www.tonsilcancersupport. com Join up! If you’re in the area, and you like the sound of what you’ve read, why not get along to a meeting? To find out more, give Margaret a call on 01270 273665. She’ll be glad to tell you about the Group’s forthcoming meetings. The Leighton Head and Neck Cancer Support Group is growing quickly, and looks set to be an invaluable resource for many patients for many years to come. ? Autumn 2011 | THE VOICE 21