The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Head and neck cancer cases among Australian women have increased significantly over the past 30 years, affecting even those who have never smoked or consumed alcohol heavily.

Experts, like RMH Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Professor David Wiesenfeld, are stumped.

“Every week, women with mouth cancers come into the clinic looking for answers.” said Prof Wiesenfeld.

“It’s really tough to have to say, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know,’ because we don’t understand why this is happening.”

This alarming spike shows how important further research into the underlying causes is.

In response, David, along with the RMH head and neck staff members and female oral cancer patients, have joined forces to form the RMH Head and Neck's Dry July team.

“While the Royal Melbourne Hospital is Victoria's principal centre for treating oral cancers, we still need more data and research to guide our approach to these specific cancers,” Prof Wiesenfeld explained.

The funds raised will help specialists, like David, to understand the disease, allowing them to detect it earlier. Sign up or donate to Dry July and support the RMH’s cancer patients and their loved ones - https://bit.ly/4aKE3MQ 

Meet Teresa: a mother of two and former accountant turned massage therapist, whose journey at RMH began just under a year ago.

"I noticed an ulcer that wouldn’t heal. By July, I was in Japan with my kids, in constant pain and with an earache. I wasn’t my usual joyful self."

After a late July biopsy, Teresa received a cancer diagnosis and was scheduled in for surgery at the RMH.

Before undergoing surgery, to remove a quarter of her tongue and a tracheostomy to prevent its spread, Teresa describes the level of support and preparation at RMH.

"In just 15 minutes of the initial multi-disciplinary routine meeting, there were close to 20 specialists from various teams across the RMH were by my side. From oral maxillofacial experts, speech therapists, dietitians to psychologists, it was intense, but I felt reassured.”

Female oral cancer rates have increased by 385% over the past 30 years.

The underlying factors that increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer are still unknown, highlighting the need for further research.

"It’s a cancer that affects women from all walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures. It’s crucial to recognise that anyone can get head and neck cancer."

Grateful for her care at RMH, Teresa has joined the RMH Head and Neck's Dry July team, raising awareness of the hospital's excellence in treating head and neck cancers.

“This campaign is so important because if it can allocate funding to research and support of head and neck patients. Whether its helping someone who is newly diagnosed, a patient in the middle of treatment or someone in the post-operative phase, every contribution matters.”

Help us continue this amazing work. Sign up or donate to Dry July and support patients like Teresa.

We're excited to announce that The Royal Melbourne Hospital will be able to fund the following thanks to Dry July 2023 fundraising:

• Exercise Equipment for Haematology Patients – Exercise is an important part of a cancer treatment plan and it is important that we have the right equipment for our patients to maintain muscle strength during their chemotherapy treatment

• STEP Caring for Patients in the Right Place – By purchasing new recliners and a commode for leg extension, we can get patients out of bed safely and early in their recovery, as well as provide a comfortable and safe alternative to staying in bed. This will lead to fewer complications from being bed-bound for extended periods and allow patients more comfort and dignity as they recover

• 5 West Day Medical Unit items – Improving the patient experience of our ward by making the environment appear less clinical, and more homely, will have a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of patients and staff alike, as well as making the patients more comfortable

Thank you so much for taking on the Dry July challenge and supporting The Royal Melbourne Hospital this year. We are pleased to announce that with your help we raised $16,456 for the care of our cancer patients. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

 Your fundraising for Dry July has enabled The Royal Melbourne Hospital to purchase items for:

• Exercise Equipment for Haematology Patients – Exercise is an important part of a cancer treatment plan and its important that we have the right equipment for our patients to maintain muscle strength during their chemotherapy treatment:

• STEP Caring for Patients in the Right Place – By purchasing new recliners and a commode for leg extension, we can get patients out of bed safely and early in their recovery, as well as provide a comfortable and safe alternative to staying in bed. This will lead to fewer complications from being bed bound for extended periods and allow patients more comfort and dignity as they recover;

• 5 West Day Medical Unit items – Improving the patient experience of our ward by making the environment appear less clinical, and more homely, will have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of patients and staff alike, as well as making the patients more comfortable.

On behalf of all the patients and staff at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and our ambassadors, the amazing nurses in our Haematology Ward 7B, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution and for making a positive difference in the lives of people affected by cancer.

Yours sincerely,

Allison Blahna

Interim Director

Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation

Dry July ambassadors for the RMH returned to the Parkville campus this month to celebrate the opening of a new hub supporting our cancer patients.

The Nutrition and Head and Neck Respite Hub provides a private space for cancer patients who, because of their treatment, are unable to consume their foods orally. Patients can use the space while they complete their nasal or tube feeding, and to clean their equipment.

The development of the hub, located near the atrium at the Grattan St entrance, was supported through Dry July fundraising, which encourages individuals to go alcohol-free for a month to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

Among the special guests at the opening were Steve and Robyn Mahoney.

Steve and Robyn did not know anything about head and neck cancer at the time Steve was diagnosed. He received treatment at the RMH and the couple became the hospital’s Dry July ambassadors in 2020.

They said cancer can affect many aspects of daily life for patients and their loved ones, but they also saw how much of an impact Dry July can have.

Steve said it was “fantastic” to see the hub, which would provide “somewhere private, giving people a bit of dignity”.

“I really hope people go there to use it,” he said.

“We were proud and humbled to be there and know we were part of raising money for this wonderful space,” Robyn added.

The RMH Foundation interim Director Allison Blahna said the funds raised through Dry July help the RMH provide invaluable support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

“In the past, projects across the RMH that have been supported by Dry July include a library and relaxation room in our Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant ward, instruments for Music Therapy patients, and window boxes for the Palliative Care ward,” Allison said.

“With the generous support of our community and the Dry July Foundation, we will be able to fund more projects to help comfort our cancer patients and their loved ones during their time with us.”

Registrations are open for Dry July 2023. Go Dry this July or donate today to help the RMH support those living with cancer. 

Pictured: Past Dry July ambassadors Steve and Robyn Mahoney, Deane Reynolds, Kelly O'Sullivan, Shantelle Bentley and Rory O'Sullivan with Head and Neck Oncology and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Liaison Nurse Kerrie Treseder at the hub opening.