E161: Nicola Freeman - Head and Neck Cancer, Oral Mucositis and Photobiomodulation

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, side effects and mental health.

Episode 161: Part of the Living With and Beyond Cancer series (part 48).

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Nicola Freeman. Nic has worked as a consultant radiographer for just over 2 years, prior to which in an advanced practice role for 5 years specialising in head & neck cancer, supporting patients and their caregivers throughout their radiotherapy journey and beyond. She manages the acute toxicity burden and provide emotional and practical support to optimise health and well-being during treatment to enable as good a recovery as possible from the treatment side effects. Nic says that this is a very rewarding role and gives her a lot of job satisfaction, it is a privilege to support people through such an incredibly difficult time in their lives.

This episode is a deep dive into Nic’s career, head and neck cancer, head and neck chemoradiation therapy, oral mucositis and how photobiomodulation can help.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. read the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/head-and-neck-cancer
2. read about oral mucositis best practice: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1135
3. watch this video on photobiomodulation for oral mucositis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0QdlZQVn0s

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Links from the Episode:

• Salivary gland cancer UK: Salivary Gland Cancer UK 
• Swallows charity: https://theswallows.org.uk/
• Oracle head and neck cancer charity UK: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/ 
• Mouth cancer foundation: https://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/
• Thor: https://www.thorlaser.com/
• Nic Freeman: https://blog.thorlaser.com/emma-hallam-interview-treatment-of-late-effects-of-cancer-treatment-with-pbm/
• Emma Hallam: https://blog.thorlaser.com/course-testimonial-nicola-freeman/
• Royal College of Radiologists Head and Neck Cancer: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/media/2ahl12m4/07-head-neck-cancer-radiotherapy-dose-fractionation-fourth-edition.pdf

Research links from the Episode:

• The use of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in the prevention of oral mucositis and reduction of strong opioid use in head & neck cancer treatment: https://www.radiographyonline.com/article/S1078-8174(24)00221-9/fulltext
• Photobiomodulation reduces prescribed strong opioid use in head and neck cancer patients: https://oncologynewstoday.co.uk/photobiomodulation-reduces-prescribed-strong-opioid-use-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients/
• Low-level laser therapy/photobiomodulation in the management of side effects of chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: part 2: proposed applications and treatment protocols: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4846551/#:~:text=A%20study%20in%20pigs%20suggested,in%20patients%20with%20breast%20cancer
• Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy combined with mobile health education in patients with head and neck cancer suffering from chronic xerostomia after radiotherapy: protocol for a three-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/1/e078068

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Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.