CHARITY calls for urgent improvements in aftercare and mental health support following total laryngectomy surgery.
Life After Lary, a charity dedicated to supporting people who have undergone total laryngectomy surgery due to cancer, is calling for immediate action to improve the quality, consistency, and availability of aftercare and mental health services for patients across the UK.
A total laryngectomy is a life-saving but life-altering operation in which the voice box (larynx) is removed, leaving individuals permanently breathing through a stoma in the neck and requiring alternative methods of communication. Patients must adapt not only to physical changes, but also to profound emotional, social, and psychological challenges that can last a lifetime.
While medical teams work tirelessly to treat cancer and perform complex surgery, many patients report that structured support often drops off sharply once they are discharged from hospital. Access to ongoing speech and language therapy, specialist nursing care, and psychological support varies widely depending on location, funding, and availability of services.
Life After Lary says this lack of consistent aftercare leaves too many patients feeling isolated, frightened, and overwhelmed during what is often the most vulnerable period of their recovery.
A spokesperson for Life After Lary said:
“Surviving cancer is only the beginning of the journey. A total laryngectomy changes every aspect of a person’s life, how they communicate, how they socialise, how they see themselves, and how they engage with the world. Without proper aftercare and mental health support, people can struggle deeply with anxiety, depression, loss of identity, and social isolation.”
The charity regularly hears from patients who feel unprepared for the realities of life after surgery. Simple daily activities, such as speaking to loved ones, making a phone call, returning to work, eating in public, or leaving the house confidently, can become sources of stress and fear. For many, the emotional impact can be as challenging as the physical recovery.
Mental health care, Life After Lary argues, must be treated as a core part of cancer recovery rather than an optional extra. Early intervention, trauma-informed counselling, peer mentoring, and long-term emotional support can significantly improve patient outcomes, confidence, independence, and quality of life.
The charity is calling for a national commitment to improving laryngectomy aftercare, including:
- Guaranteed access to mental health assessment and counselling following discharge
- Consistent long-term speech and language therapy provision
- Improved training for healthcare professionals on the psychological impact of laryngectomy
- Better coordination between hospitals, community services, and voluntary organisations
- Increased funding for specialist nursing and rehabilitation services
- Stronger patient education before and after surgery to help individuals and families prepare for life changes
Life After Lary also highlights the importance of peer support, noting that connecting newly operated patients with experienced laryngectomy survivors can reduce fear, build confidence, and provide practical coping strategies that cannot always be delivered in clinical settings alone.
The spokesperson added:
“Patients should not have to fight for the support they need at the most vulnerable point of their lives. Every person who undergoes a total laryngectomy deserves consistent, compassionate care that addresses both physical healing and emotional well-being. Better aftercare saves not only healthcare costs in the long term, but lives, dignity, and mental health.”
The charity is urging NHS leaders, government health departments, commissioners, and policymakers to engage directly with patients and frontline organisations to develop improved national standards of care for laryngectomy survivors.
Life After Lary continues to campaign for awareness, education, and better patient outcomes, while providing peer support, advocacy, and practical guidance for individuals and families affected by laryngeal cancer and laryngectomy surgery.
