What we do 

Founded in July 2023, Life after Lary is a support group dedicated to helping people Affected by Laryngeal cancer and Total Laryngectomy. We have a valued network of supporters from volunteers, patients and their loved ones, to leading doctors, medical professionals, and other charities who have helped us to help you..

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
• To raise awareness of cancers affecting the throat
• To empower patients and carers by providing a forum for the most up to date information on cancer, treatment and care
• To campaign for a ‘Gold Standard of Care’ and for this to be available for all patients
• To assist with research into treatments, their efficacy and how post-treatment quality of life can be improved
• To lobby governments to introduce Gender Neutral Vaccination in order to reduce the impact of HPV

• To lobby governments to introduce Training in emergency services re Laryngeal cancer.
• To light the way for others yet to tread.

What is laryngeal cancer ?

Laryngeal cancer effects the larynx, part of your throat, Your larynx helps you speak, breath and swallow. It contains your vocal chords.
The larynx (voice box) is in the neck above the windpipe. The larynx allows air you breath to reach yourb lungs. It also contains the 2 vocal cords which vibrate together when air passes between them. This makes the sound of your voice.
Cancer affecting your larynx or vocal chords happens when cells grow uncontrollably in the larynx. As these cancerous cells multiply, they invade tissues and damage your body.
Laryngeal cancer can form in any of the three main parts of the larynx:
Supraglottis (upper area) more than 1 in 3 laryngeal cancers or 35% start here. Glottis (middle) more than half of Laryngeal cancers start here where the vocal chords are 60%. Subglottis (lower part) About 5% of laryngeal cancers or 1 in 20 start here. Around 2,360 people in the uk are diagnosed with cancer of the larynx each year.

Symptoms of Laryngeal cancer?

It is easy to mistake the first signs of laryngeal cancer for other conditions. The most common symptom hoarseness, that does not improve after two weeks. Pain or other difficulties when you swallow. Lump in your neck or throat. Trouble making voice sounds. Ear pain are all common symptoms of laryngeal cancer. If you have any of these symptoms seek medical attention straight away.

Risk factors and causes of Laryngeal cancer?

It is not known what the exact cause of laryngeal cancer is but certain risk factors increase your chance of developing. Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will definitely get laryngeal cancer. Some people with high risk factors never get cancer. Other people can develop cancer having no risk factors. Although this is not common.
Laryngeal cancer is rare in people under 40. It is more common in people over 60. It is 4 times more common in men than woman.
The main risk factors are smoking and drinking alcohol. The risk of developing cancer or the larynx increases the longer you smoke for and the more you smoke.
Your GP will provide help in giving up smoking

Alcohol: Drinking lots of alcohol(especially spirits) over a long period of time increases your risk of developing cancer of the larynx. The risk is therefore higher if you smoke and drink alcohol.

Diagnosis of Laryngeal cancer.

If you have symptoms, you usually start by seeing your GP. They will examine you and may arrange tests. They may at this point refer you to an ENT specialist clinic. The specialist will: ask about your symptoms. Check your general health. Ask whether you take medicines. Feel for lumps in your neck. They may use a scope that is placed into the nose that moves to the rear of the throat. This is slightly uncomfortable but does not hurt. Further scans may be arranged to confirm cancer.

Treatment for Laryngeal cancer.

A team of specialists will meet to discuss the best possible treatment for you. This is a multidisciplinary team MDT. Your cancer doctor or nurse will explain the findings and the best course of treatment for you and the side effects. It will help to write down any questions you may have for your team. Ask if you can record the conversation. Some allow and it is a great help to reference at a later date. Treatment plans will be discussed and where the cancer is. The size and whether it has spread. How fast the cancer is growing and your general health.
You may get anxious between appointments. This is natural. It may help to get support from family and friends or a support organisation. Macmillon are a great contact to have nearby. Jonscancerlarydiary on Instagram is an excellent source of information.
Treatment could be radiotherapy and chemotherapy or surgery. It may in fact be all three

After Treatment for Laryngeal cancer.

Once the treatment has finished, you will have regular follow-up appointments with your health care team. These will continue for many years. It is important to tell your doctor about any new symptoms you have, or if symptoms are not improving. Do not wait until your next appointment to tell them.

After Treatment wellbeing and recovery.

It can take some time to recover after treatments. There may be physical changes in the way you look. Or you may have to cope to changes in your daily life such as speaking or eating. Even if you have a healthy lifestyle, you may choose to make some positive life style changes. These are things to help your body recover. Maybe choose to stop smoking or drinking and eat healthily.