Brain Tumour Awareness Month - the role of Speech and Language Therapy in supporting people with brain tumours

What made you choose Speech and Language Therapy?

I’ve worked in many areas of adult SLT, but neurology (the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system) and neurosurgery (concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with injury to, or diseases/disorders of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column, and peripheral nerves) really caught my interest. The way our brain works fascinates me and the range of interventions for this client group keeps every day interesting.

What do you do in your role?

I’ve worked across the whole pathway for patients with brain tumours, from pre-assessment right through to the end-of-life care. Currently, I spend most of my time supporting patients, post-op as outpatients / during their chemo-radiotherapy. I’m also involved in carrying out awake craniotomies (a type of procedure performed on the brain while you are awake and alert. Awake brain surgery is used to treat some brain (neurological) conditions, including some brain tumours or epileptic seizures).

There are a number of different parts to the pathway including;

• Pre-op language assessment.
• Intra-op testing, during awake craniotomies.
• Post-op assessment and therapy on the acute wards for dysarthria (difficulty speaking because the muscles you use for speech are weak) and aphasia (when a person has difficulty with their language or speech; usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain).
• Outpatient rehabilitation at St James University Hospital for dysarthria, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and aphasia.
• Support during and following chemo-radiotherapy, including patient and family education and creating strategies to improve communication.
• End of life care, including supporting communication and manging dysphagia.

How do you support people with brain tumours / brain injuries?

When involved in the awake craniotomies, I support patients and families to understand the procedure and what to expect during the surgery. I also carry out an assessment of their language to gain a baseline. During the surgery, I complete assessments to help with brain mapping and then monitor speech and language throughout the surgery.

In my outpatient setting, I support any patients with a brain tumour who are experiencing difficulties with their speech, language or swallowing. This involves assessments and sometimes therapy. I will also offer support and advice to patients and families to try and optimise their communication and reduce the impact of their difficulties.

How important is your role in providing that support?

Communication and swallowing are significant to a patient’s quality of life and so the SLT role is pivotal in supporting them to live as well as they can during their treatment and beyond.

What are the most important qualities for your role?

I think that empathy and compassion are key qualities in this role, Patients and their families may be going through a very difficult time, and they need someone who will take the time to listen to their needs and do their best to support them.

Emily studied a BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy at Leeds Beckett and graduated in 2010.

How did your course benefit you in your current role?

My course at LBU gave me a good mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical experience, preparing me for my career as a Speech and Language Therapist.

What advice would you give to current students?

Choose a career that really sparks your interest! Work is a big part of our lives and so we need to enjoy it. My job is so interesting and diverse that I never get bored!

More information about studying Speech and Language Therapy at Leeds Beckett.