Together, WE Heal

Support for People with Oral
and Head and Neck Cancer

Together We Heal

Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer

Our Mission

Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) pronounced "Spunk" is a nonprofit organization involved in the development of programs of support. As such it can have an enormous positive impact on meeting the psychosocial needs of patients as well as preserving, restoring and promoting physical and emotional health.

SPOHNC is dedicated to raising awareness and meeting the needs of oral and
head and neck cancer patients through its resources and publications.

Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) has over 100 Chapters throughout the United States and continues to grow. Connecting with a local chapter is an invaluable first step in the healing process.

Please call SPOHNC directly at 1-800-377-0928 or email: info@spohnc.org for additional Chapter meeting information in your area.

Resources

WHWIYS_OpenBook

Sneak Peek

We Have Walked in Your Shoes

A Guide to Living with Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Second Edition

WHWIYS_DigitaBook2

Sneak Peek

We Have Walked in Your Shoes

A Guide to Living with Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Digital Edition

Eat Well Stay Nourished:

A Recipe and Resource Guide for Coping with Eating Challenges Volume 1

Eat Well Stay Nourished:

A Recipe and Resource Guide for Coping with Eating Challenges Volume 2

Are you still dealing with side effects from your treatment? SPOHNC’s Product Directory is here! Full of product suggestions and how they can help you, the book also tells you where to find them. This book is a must for anyone who is seeking relief.

Find A Local Chapter Near You!

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OKLAHOMA (NORTHEASTERN) – TULSA
3rd Saturday of each month
*10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE – LONDONDERRY
ERCC Conference Room
3rd Wednesday of each month
*4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

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NEW JERSEY – CAMDEN
MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
2nd Thursday of each month
*2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

NEW JERSEY – LONG BRANCH
RWJ Barnabas
1st Monday of each month
*6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

NEW JERSEY – MORRISTOWN
Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
3rd Thursday of each month
*3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NEW JERSEY – PRINCETON
Penn Medicine Princeton Health
3rd Wednesday of each month
*12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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MINNESOTA – MINNEAPOLIS
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
1st. Monday of each month
*7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

MINNESOTA – ST. PAUL
HealthPartners Neuroscience Centre
3rd Wednesday of each month
*12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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IOWA – DES MOINES
John Stoddard Cancer Center
1st Wednesday of each month
*5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

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MARYLAND – BALTIMORE
Johns Hopkins at Green Spring Station
2nd Wednesday of each month
*6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

MARYLAND – BALTIMORE
GBMC Hospital -
Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head & Neck Center
3rd Tuesday of each month
*6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

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ARKANSAS – FAYETTEVILLE
Washington Regional Cancer
3rd Saturday of each month
*10:00 a.m. - Noon

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WISCONSIN – APPLETON
ThedaCare Cancer Center
Last Tuesday of each month
*2:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.

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MASSACHUSETTS – BOSTON
Massachusetts General Hospital
One Tuesday every other month
*6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

MASSACHUSETTS – CAPE COD
Cape Cod Hospital - Rehabilitation Center
3rd Tuesday of each month (October through June)
*2:30p.m. - 3:30p.m.

MASSACHUSETTS – DANVERS
Massachusetts General -
North Shore Cancer Center
2nd Tuesday of each month
*5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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MICHIGAN – ANN ARBOR
University of Michigan
1st Tuesday of every other month
*5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

MICHIGAN – SAGINAW
Covenant HealthCare -
Cancer Care Therapy Center
2nd Tuesday of each month
*2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN – WARREN
St. John Macomb Hospital
4th Wednesday of each month
*4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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NORTH CAROLINA – DURHAM
Caring House
3rd Monday of each month
*6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA – WINSTON SALEM & CHARLOTTE
Atrium Levine Cancer (alternating between AHWFB CCC and LCI)
1st Wednesday of the month
*5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

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SOUTH CAROLINA – GREENVILLE
St. Francis Cancer Center
3rd Thursday of each month
*6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

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TENNESSSEE – NASHVILLE
Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee
Last Monday of each month
*6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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NEW MEXICO – ALBUQUERQUE
2nd & 4th Monday of each month
*5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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NEW YORK – BAYSHORE
Northwell Health Imbert Cancer Center
Weekly on Wednesday's
1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.

NEW YORK – MANHATTAN
Lenox Hill – NY Head & Neck Institute
*5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

NEW YORK – MANHATTAN
Mount Sinai Downtown Union Square
4th Thursday of each month
*2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

NEW YORK – MANHATTAN
NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center
1st & 3rd Thursday’s of each month
* 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

NEW YORK – MANHATTAN
NY Columbia Presbyterian
2nd Thursday of each month
* 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

NEW YORK – MIDDLETOWN
Garnet Health
1st Wednesday of each month
*4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

NEW YORK – NEW HYDE PARK
Northwell Health Hearing & Speech Center
3rd Thursday of each month
*5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

NEW YORK – ROCHESTER
James P. Wilmot Cancer Center
1st Thursday of each month
*5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

NEW YORK – SARATOGA SPRINGS
Albany Medical Health System at Saratoga Hospital
3rd Tuesday of each month
*5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

NEW YORK – SOUTHAMPTOM
Phillips Family Cancer Center
2nd Thursday of each month
*3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

NEW YORK – STONY BROOK
2nd Tuesday of each month
*12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m.

NEW YORK – WHITE PLAINS
White Plains Hospital Center for Cancer Care
3rd Wednesday of each month
*5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

NEW YORK – SYOSSET
North Shore Syosset Hospital
1st Monday of each month
*7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

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PENNSYLVANIA – HERSHEY
Penn State Health Milton S. Medical Center
4th Sunday of each month
*2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.

PENNSYLVANIA – LANCASTER
Lancaster General Health -
Ann B. Barishinger Cancer Institute
4th Tuesday of every other month January, March, May, July, September, November
*4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

PENNSYLVANIA – LEBANON
Sechler Family Cancer Center
Quarterly July and October
*5:00 p.m.

PENNSYLVANIA – PHILADELPHIA
Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center
*1st Thursday of the month at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
No meetings in August

PENNSYLVANIA – PHILADELPHIA
Fox Chase Cancer Center
3rd Tuesday of every other month
*Time to be Determined

PENNSYLVANIA – PITTSBURGH
4th Monday of each month
*7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

PENNSYLVANIA – YORK
York Cancer Center -
Apple Hill Medical Complex
2nd Wednesday of each month
*5:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m.

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FLORIDA – DEERFIELD BEACH
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center -
Deerfield Beach Satellite Clinic
4th Wednesday of each month
*11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

FLORIDA – FT. MYERS
Gulf Coast Medical Center
4th Wednesday of each month
*4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

FLORIDA – JACKSONVILLE
UF Health Jacksonville
2nd Wednesday of each month
*1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

FLORIDA – SARASOTA
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Systems
2nd Wednesday of each month
*4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

FLORIDA – WINTER PARK
Advent Health
3rd Wednesday of each month
*1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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ALABAMA – BIRMINGHAM
St. Vincent’s Hospital - Bruno Cancer Center
3rd Tuesday of each month
*12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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GEORGIA – ATLANTA
Emory Midtown Hospital
Last Wednesday of each month
*6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

GEORGIA – CHATTANOOGA
Times and days may vary

GEORGIA – MACON
Swallowing Specialist of Central Georgia
2nd Tuesday of each month
*3:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m.

GEORGIA – SAVANNAH
Anderson Cancer Institute
3rd Wednesday of each month
*1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

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IDAHO – BOISE
Treasure Valley
Last Wednesday of each month
*6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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VIRGINIA – FAIRFAX
Life With Cancer Family Center
2nd Wednesday of each month
*5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

VIRGINIA – NORFOLK
EVMS, Hofheimer Hall
3rd Monday of each month
*4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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INDIANA – AVON
Hendricks Regional Health Cancer Center
2nd Monday of each month
*6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

INDIANA – CARMEL
IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center
3rd Thursday of each month
*1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.

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ILLINOIS – EVANSTON
NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center
2nd Monday of each month
*6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

ILLINOIS – HINSDALE
Wellness House
3rd Tuesday of each month
*7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.

ILLINOIS – SPRINGFIELD
Simmons Cancer Center
1st Friday of each month
*1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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LOUISIANA – NEW ORLEANS
Ochsner Medical Center -
Benson Cancer Center
2nd Thursday of each month
*5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

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WASHINGTON – KIRKLAND
Evergreen Medical Center
2nd Wednesday of each month
*6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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OREGON – SOUTHERN OREGON
Asante Heimann Cancer Center
2nd Friday of each month
*12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

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NEBRASKA – LINCOLN
Lincoln Balance, Mobility and Cancer Rehabilitation
2nd Tuesday of each month
*12:00 p.m. -12:30 p.m.

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TEXAS – DALLAS
UT Southwestern Medical Center
3rd Saturday of each month
*10:00 a.m. – Noon

TEXAS – SAN ANTONIO
Hamilton Wolfe Building
1st Thursday of each month
*6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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ARIZONA – GILBERT
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
3rd Wednesday of each month
*4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

ARIZONA – NORTH PHOENIX
AOC (Arizona Otolaryngology Consultants)
1st Tuesday of every month
*5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

ARIZONA – PHOENIX
Mayo Clinic Arizona
1st Thursday of each month
*5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

ARIZONA – PHOENIX
Barrow Neurological Institue
2nd Wednesday of each month
*4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ARIZONA – SCOTTSDALE
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Honor Health
3rd Thursday of each month
*6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m

ARIZONA – TUCSON
Banner University of Arizona Cancer Center
Monthly meetings
*3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

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West Virginia – West Virginia
1st Thursday of each month
*3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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CALIFORNIA – ARROYO GRANDE
Mission Hope Cancer Center
3rd Tuesday of each month
*3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

CALIFORNIA – LOS ANGELES
*Every other month
*7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

CALIFORNIA – NEWPORT BEACH
Hoag Cancer Center
2nd Monday of each month
*6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

CALIFORNIA – S. SAN FRANCISCO
Kaiser Permanente Radiation Oncology
1st & 3rd Thursday’s of each month
*1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

CALIFORNIA – VENTURA
Coastal Communities Cancer Center
4th Thursday of each month
*5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

News From SPOHNC,

is a newsletter for cancer survivors, family, friends and health professionals. Timely articles help to increase awareness of the many ongoing issues related to oral and head and neck cancer while offering information, support and encouragement.

Become a member and receive a FREE directory filled with products that help with the side effects of treatment.

Diagnosis and Management

Head and Neck Cancer Pain: Opioid Use and Alternatives (February 2019)
– Jessica McDermott, MD

How Integrative Oncology Services Can Help Those Affected by Head and Neck Cancers (March 2019)
– Santosh Rao, MD

Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer (April 2019)
– Geoffrey Neuner, MD

Acupuncture Following Head and Neck Cancer Treatment (October 2018)
– Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH

Tips for Traveling with a Feeding Tube (May 2018)
– The Oley Foundation

Head and Neck Cancers – Major Changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer Eighth Edition Cancer Staging Manual (February 2018)

Personalized Cancer Therapy (April 2017)
– Jeffrey Myers, MD, PhD, FACS

HPV Vaccine and Oropharyngeal Cancer (April 2015)
– Carole Fakhry, MD

Head and Neck Lymphedema: Shedding Light On a Unique Condition (March 2015)
– Leila G. Little, MS, CCC-SLP, CLT
– Jan S. Lewin, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Emotional Support

Taking The Healing Aspect of Music Further (November 2019) – Sara Chigani, MA, MT-BC

Journaling Your Cancer Journey Benefits of Expressive Writing for People with Cancer (December 2019) – Lynne Eldridge, MD

Returning to Work After Cancer Treatment: Ways to Ease Your Transition (March 2018)
– Nicole Van Hoey, PharmD

Reconnecting with your Spiritual Self…In Spite of the Holidays (December 2017)
– Alan Wright, Chaplain

April Awareness for Oral, Head and Neck Cancer (March 2017)
The Importance of Support

Holding On To Hope (December 2015)
– Clare Butt, RN, MSN, AOCN, PhD

Oral Care

Prevention/Reduction of Oral Side Effects and Quality of Life (February 2016)
– Susan E. Calderbank, DMD

Rehabilitation

My Therapist Has 4 Legs (December 2018)
– David E. Williams, MD

Art Therapy (December 2018)
– Ashley Jones, MA

Reconstruction for Cancer of the Oral Cavity (November 2018)
– Joshua E. Lubek, MD, DDS, FACS

Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Part II: Other Essentials (November 2017)
– Liza Murray, APRN
– Allen M. Chen, MD

Cure is Not Enough: Why Survivorship Matters for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (September 2017)
– Liza Murray, APRN
– Allen M. Chen, MD

Swallowing Dysfunction After Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Patient Considerations and Practical Suggestions (November 2016)
– Jehee Choi, MD and Allen Chen, MD

Physical Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (March 2016)
– Leslie Waltke, PT, DPT

Rehabilitation of the Oral Cancer Patient with Dental and Maxillofacial Implants (November 2015)
– Joseph I. Helman, DMD

Facial Reanimation Surgery Following Facial Nerve Injury (September 2015)
– Bradley Mons, DO, Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon

Research

Less Intensive Treatment May Be Possible For Some Patients with HPV Associated Head and Neck Cancer (October 2019)
– Robert Ferris, Md, PhD

Why Are Clinical Trials Important? (October 2016)
– Robert Ferris, Md, PhD

NIDCR Research to Help Cancer Survivors Overcome the Problem of Dry Mouth (May 2016)
– Geriann Piazza, M.A.

Therapies

Proton Therapy Success with Head and Neck Cancer (May 2019)
– Steven J. Frank, MD

An Enlightening Summer Research Experience: Using Light Treatment for Oral Cancer Care (September 2019)- Jaeyoung Choi and Praveen Arany, BDS, MDS, MMSc, PhD

Three Dimensional Printing for Head and Neck Cancer Surgery (September 2018)
– Monika E. Freiser, MD, MPH

Potential Side Effects of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer (April 2018)
– Dan Zandberg, MD

Standard of Care vs. Reduced Dose Chemoradiation After Induction Chemotherapy in HPV + Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Patients (October 2017)
– Krzysztof Misiukiewicz, MD
– Marshall Posner, MD
– Eric Genden, MD

Chemoradiation Increases Survival for a Subset of Elderly Head and Neck Cancer Patients (September 2016)
– Sana Karam, MD, PhD

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Head and Neck Cancer (April 2016)
– Matthew Pierce, MD, Jessica H. Maxwell, MD, MPH, Bruce Davidson, MD, FACS

Immunotherapy (October 2015)
– Marshall Posner, MD
– Krzysztof Misiukiewicz, MD

Nutrition

Expert Nutritional Counseling for the Holidays and New Year (December 2016)
– Jessica Iannotta, MS, RD, CSO, CDN
– Chelsey Wisotsky, MS, RD, CDN, CSO

Choosing the Right Tube For You (February 2015)
– Lauren Schwartz, MD

Insurance Issues

Disability Benefits for Oral Cancers and Cancers of the Head and Neck (May 2017)
– Disability Benefits Help

Cancer Coverage Under Medicare (May 2015)
– Danielle Kunkle

Jeff’s Story

Finding the Right Clinical
Trial is Key

Valerie’s Story

Living My Life

Gene’s Story

Understanding the
Education Process of
the Cancer Journey

Dennis’ Story

The Importance of Patience

Bob’s Story

Healing Emotional and
Physical Effects of Cancer

Bill and Linda
Clyne’s Story

Reflections of a Caregiver
Six Years “After” Cancer

Garry’s Story

Faith, Family and the
Desire to Heal

Jeff’s Story

Finding the Right Clinical
Trial is Key

Valerie’s Story

Living My Life

Gene’s Story

Understanding the
Education Process of
the Cancer Journey

Dennis’ Story

The Importance of Patience

Bob’s Story

Healing Emotional and
Physical Effects of Cancer

Bill and Linda
Clyne’s Story

Reflections of a Caregiver
Six Years “After” Cancer

Garry’s Story

Faith, Family and the
Desire to Heal

Supportive Care

Clinical Trials

Your Cancer Story

Supportive Care

A Valuable Resource

In this section, you will find valuable information on how to find a local chapter near you, how to connect to our National Survivor Volunteer Network, as well as useful resources and links from Diet and Nutrition to Cancer Centers, Professional Societies and much more.

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trial Information

This information is intended to help clarify the purpose and process of these important studies. This includes information on the different types of clinical trials, what happens in them, the clinical trial process, information on clinical trial phases and more.

Your Cancer Story

Becoming a “cancer survivor”

There’s a lot of discussion about reaching the ultimate goal of a cancer journey—being cancer-free. But there’s not as much information about what life is like when you get there.

Recent Blog Entries

Long Term Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Written by: James Suen, MD It is a privilege for me to share some of my experiences that may or could affect your health. I have had the opportunity to treat patients with head and neck cancer for more that 50 years and continue to do so. I have t... read more
Sinonasal Malignancies and Cancer of the Nasopharynx
Written by: Dr. London, MD Sinonasal malignancies, tumors that arise inside the nose and nearby sinus area, are an uncommon subset of head and neck cancer. These are a diverse group of malignancies and include sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SN... read more
SPOHNC Launches #lifeAhead April Awareness Campaign
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) Launches #lifeAhead to Celebrate Survivorship this Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

Campaign Features Compelling Stories to ... read more

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