‘Don’t just help patients to live, help them to live well’: inside the first solely head and neck Therapeutic Radiographer-led late effects service
Therapeutic Radiographer Sabina Khan recently won an award for her pioneering head and neck radiotherapy late effects clinic in London. Synergy chronicles how the service came to be and looks at how patients are benefitting
By Marese O'Hagan
By Marese O'Hagan
It was a one-year follow-up with a past patient that inspired Sabina Khan to establish the head and neck late effects service at University College London Hospital (UCLH).
The patient had been treated radically with radiotherapy with curative intent after being diagnosed with an oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. A Therapeutic Radiographer at UCLH, Sabina was looking forward to hearing how the patient had fared since their treatment had ended. But at the joint consultation with the oncologist, Sabina was dismayed when the patient shared that they hadn’t felt ill when they were diagnosed, but felt quite unwell after being treated. They were suffering from dry mouth and fatigue and were struggling to keep up with their lifestyle both at home and at work.
The late effects of radiotherapy have often been an overlooked area of healthcare and can leave patients feeling forgotten and isolated when dealing with the impacts cancer treatment has on their life, sometimes years after they have been declared cancer free. But a growing number of late effects clinics are starting to turn the tide and give proper attention to the often life-altering side effects of radiation therapy, including the service founded by Sabina at UCLH.
The clinic provides treatment to patients with late effects symptoms from head and neck cancer that may otherwise be treated in isolation, without proper consideration for past cancer treatment. It has had more than 450 referrals from oncologists, surgeons, primary care professionals and other health professionals since it opened in November 2023, a number that also includes self referrals. It has helped many patients deal with the physical and emotional late effects of treatment and begin to recuperate.
Synergy caught up with Sabina to learn about how she set up the service, how it has helped patients to thrive – not just survive – and what it was like to win a prestigious Macmillan award for her efforts.