Surgical Voice Restoration (SVR) is the gold standard in enabling laryngectomy patients to speak again. However there will always be a minority who are ineligible for SVR or for who it does not work too well. In such cases an electrolarynx is a useful alternative.
A new study is seeking to hear from electrolarynx users, to learn lessons from their experience.
(Click image to enlarge)
More details are available here
LINKS click below
Participant Information leaflet
Our group has continued to fulfil its main purpose supporting patients and carers facing head and neck cancer, with a focus on laryngectomees.
This has been done by:
1.Providing an opportunity at every meeting for members to share their news and experiences and hear the response of other members.
2.Responding to requests for support from Chesterfield Royal Hospital, telephone calls and emails from individual patients or GP surgeries.
3.Providing laryngectomee emergency items and writing tablets on request.
4.Providing news and information on our own website and the old NALC site.
We have lost one member this year and it has been difficult for some others, dealing with a cancer recurrence or other serious illness. We have continued to work with Chesterfield Royal, meeting patients on request, but sadly Support Worker Gemma is no longer able to attend meetings on a regular basis due to changes in clinic arrangements at the hospital.
Since February 2026 we have been running the former NALC website. The aim is to keep the information resources available for patients and families, updating where necessary. We are keeping up stocks of emergency cards, wrist bands and car stickers to send out on request.
We benefitted from a significant anonymous donation which will enable us to meet the additional costs of running the NALC website and providing emergency items for many years ahead. It will also ensure we can renew our publicity material and cover the cost of room hire, without having to seek donations from members.
Hnchelp has been affiliated to NALC since its formation. However NALC is closing down as a charity. HNChelp hastaken on some of the work that NALC did.
We will be maintaining the NALC website so its information leaflets and videos continue to be available to support laryngectomees and their families and friends. It will also publish items of news relevant to the laryngectomee community.
We will continue to supply emergency items on request.
Finally we will advertise information about relevant research, especially helping researchers to make contact with patients willing to share their experiences.
The incidence of head and neck cancer has been rising for many years now, despite some changes in smoking and drinking habits. Much of the increase can be attributed to the human papilloma virus (HPV). It causes not only cancer of the cervix but cancers in other locations including the head and neck. HPV vaccination was given to girls in Year 8 from 2008, For many years head and neck professionals and patient groups campaigned for the vaccination programme too be extended to boys as well as girls. In 2019 equal vaccination was introduced in England and Year 8 boys received the jab as well.
The work is not over however and the current level of vaccinations is below 75%, though it has recovered a little recently after a fall probably down to concerns about vaccinations after COVID. March 4th is an International Awareness Day and the work done on this day can help boost vaccination rates. Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK are doing some brilliant work in this area as you can see from the link below. Please sign the petition!