By encouraging patients with xerostomia to help shape the development of treatments, we hope to better alleviate their suffering and improve their lives.
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is one of the most common symptoms people experience after radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Xerostomia can be debilitating, and it can severely limit one’s ability to eat and speak, presenting enormous obstacles for daily life and wellness. While there are currently some products on the market to help people suffering from xerostomia, the options are limited and insufficient, and symptoms often persist.
Inspired by this unmet need, the NFOSD partnered with three patient advocacy organizations—the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA), the Thyroid, Head, and Neck Cancer Foundation (THANC), and Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)—to gain valuable insight from people enduring xerostomia and to develop goals for future treatments predicated on the patient experience.
Want to Volunteer?
We are seeking participants who will serve as “Discussion Starters” for one of our two panels in the upcoming Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on xerostomia on August 19.
The first panel is focused on symptoms and the second is focused on treatments. As a Discussion Starter, you would be asked to share your personal experience in living with xerostomia during the meeting. Your contribution would be live, so you would not need to prepare anything in advance, however we would require that you attend the virtual meeting on Thursday, August 19 from 10am – 3:30pm in addition to a one-hour rehearsal on August 18th between 10am – 1pm (the specific time is to be determined).
