NHS DENTAL CARE FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER SURVIVORS
We are circulating the online petition information, in italics below, to highlight an important initiative that has been launched by The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Charity. We hope that you might be willing to support the cause. Any registered UK voter can sign.
It would really help if you would: – Sign it yourself (use the link below) – Invite all eligible members of your household to do the same – Circulate/forward this email as widely as possible
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/743337
This online petition highlights the need for free NHS dental care after the intense radiotherapy often included in treatment for head and neck cancer. Patients can experience life lasting dental issues due to the after effects of this treatment, with problems potentially occurring many years later. These can be manageable with dental treatment, but this may be unavailable on the NHS and unaffordable elsewhere. This, in turn, can lead to issues surrounding nutrition, isolation and other health complications.
The petition was launched at the Swallows National Conference in November. If it gets to 10,000 signatures Chris Curtis (CEO of The Swallows) will be entitled to a meeting with the Minister for Health to discuss this critical question.
Between 12,000 and 17,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK. Many of these will have no easy access to the crucial dental after care. If you are happy to support and circulate it could make all the difference!