Head and neck cancers
Seeking support for head and neck cancers
It is challenging to live with a cancer diagnosis. You don't have to walk the journey alone. Find out about the support services available to people living with cancer and their families.
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Sources and references 
A cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of your life. You will probably experience a range of emotions – fear, sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration are all common reactions. Cancer also often creates practical and financial issues.
There are many sources of support and information to help you, your family and carers navigate all stages of the cancer experience, including:
- information about cancer and its treatment
- access to benefits and programs to ease the financial impact of cancer
- home care services, such as Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses and home help
- aids and appliances
- support groups and programs
- counselling services.
The availability of services may vary depending on where you live, and some services will be free but others might have a cost.
Head and Neck Cancer Australia offers information, resources and runs a support group. You can call their helpline on 1300 424 848 or visit their website. To find other good sources of support and information, you can talk to the social worker or nurse at your hospital or treatment centre, or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
My family members don’t really understand what it’s like to have cancer thrown at you, but in my support group, I don’t feel like I have to explain."
Sam
Support from Cancer Council
Cancer Council offers a range of services to support people affected by cancer, their families and friends. Services may vary by location.
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Our experienced health professionals will answer any questions you have about your situation and link you to local services.
Legal and financial support
If you need advice on legal or financial issues, we may be able to refer you to qualified professionals. These services may be free for people who can’t afford to pay. Financial assistance may also be
available. To find out more, call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Peer support services
You might find it helpful to share your thoughts and experiences with other people affected by cancer. Cancer Council can link you with individuals or support groups by phone, in person, or online. Call 13 11 20 or visit Cancer Council Online Community.
Information resources
Cancer Council produces booklets and fact sheets on more than 40 types of cancer, as well as treatments, emotional and practical issues, and recovery. Call 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website.
Practical help
Cancer Council can help you find services or offer guidance to manage the practical impacts of cancer. This may include helping you access accommodation and transport services.
Useful websites
You can find many useful resources online, but not all websites are reliable. These websites are good sources of support and information.
Australian
- Cancer Council Australia
- Cancer Council Online Community
- Cancer Council podcasts
- Guides to Best Cancer Care
- Australasian Lymphology Association
- Australian and New Zealand Head & Neck Cancer Society
- Cancer Australia
- Dietitians Australia
- Head and Neck Cancer Australia
- Head and Neck Cancer Video Series
- Carer Gateway
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Healthdirect Australia
- Services Australia
- Radiation Oncology: Targeting Cancer
- Speech Pathology Australia
International
Caring for someone with cancer
You may be reading this because you are caring for someone with cancer. What this means for you will vary depending on the situation. Being a carer can bring a sense of satisfaction, but it can also be challenging and stressful.
It is important to look after your own physical and emotional wellbeing. Give yourself some time out and share your concerns with somebody neutral such as a counsellor or your doctor, or try calling Cancer Council 13 11 20. There is a wide range of support available to help you with the practical and emotional aspects of your caring role.
Support services – Support services such as Meals on Wheels, home help or visiting nurses can help you in your caring role. You can find local services, as well as information and resources, through the Carer Gateway. Call 1800 422 737 or visit Carer Gateway.
Support groups and programs – Many cancer support groups, including those run by Cancer Council and Head and Neck Cancer Australia, are open to carers as well as to people with cancer. Support groups and programs offer a chance to share experiences and ways of coping.
Carers Australia – Carers Australia provides information and advocacy for carers. Visit Carers Australia.
Cancer Council – You can call Cancer Council 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website to find out more about carers’ services.
Question checklist
Asking your doctor questions will help you make an informed choice. You may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.
Diagnosis
- What type of head and neck cancer do I have?
- Has the cancer spread? What do the staging numbers mean?
- Are the latest tests and treatments for this cancer available in this hospital?
- Will a multidisciplinary team be involved in my care?
- Are there clinical guidelines for this type of cancer?
Treatment
- What treatment do you recommend? What is the aim of the treatment?
- Are there other treatment choices for me? If not, why not?
- I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend anyone?
- How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
- Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my
private health cover? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it? - How will we know if the treatment is working?
- Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?
Side effects
- What are the risks and side effects of treatment? Will they be permanent?
- Will I have a lot of pain? What will be done about this?
- Can I work, drive and do my normal activities while having treatment?
- Will the treatment affect my sex life and fertility?
- Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?
- Will my face or neck have significant scarring or will I look different?
- Will I need to have a tracheostomy or stoma? Will my speech be affected?
- How will my eating be affected? Will I need a feeding tube?
- What kind of rehabilitation can I have?
After treatment
- How often will I need check-ups after treatment?
- If the cancer returns, how will I know? What treatments could I have?
Sources and references
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.
We thank the reviewers of this booklet: Dr Malinda Itchins, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Cynleen Kai, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, VIC; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital, Epworth Richmond, and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Helen Benny, Consumer; Dr Rachael Dodd, Senior Research Fellow, The Daffodil Centre, NSW; Kim Greco, Specialist head and neck cancers Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Marco Salvador, Consumer; Janene Shelton, xxx Foundation Australia – Specialist head and neck cancers Nurse, Darling Downs Health, QLD; Prof Emily Stone, Respiratory Physician, Department of Thoracic Medicine and xxx Transplantation, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Marianne Weber, Stream Lead, head and neck cancers Policy and Evaluation, The Daffodil Centre, NSW.
We would also like to thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
References
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (US), NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines): Head and Neck Cancers, Version 2.2025.
- J-P Machiels et al., “Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx: EHNS–ESMO–ESTRO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment
and follow-up”, Annals of Oncology, vol. 31, iss. 11, 2020, pp. 1462–75. - P Bossi et al., “Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: ESMO–EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”, Annals of Oncology, vol. 32, iss. 4, 2020, pp. 452–65.
- C Resteghini et al., “Sinonasal malignancy: ESMO–EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”, ESMO Open, vol. 10, iss. 2, 2025.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer Data in Australia 2025, AIHW, Canberra, viewed 29 October 2025, aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia.
Head and neck cancers
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Guide to best cancer care
This head and neck cancers guide explains the standard of high-quality cancer care that all Australians can expect, from diagnosis, to treatment, recovery, and living with cancer.