Thank you for your comments. Can you share what the common drug being used you referred to? My 70 year old husband was only offered Cisplatin and when we questioned if there was another drug the Oncologist said no. It is most likely because Cisplatin is the only SOC at our Canadian Cancer Clinic. Looking back, I wish he had been more persistent in alternate drug therapy. When I questioned if the decision to decline the Cisplatin offered was sound, because we were told by the ENT surgeon that we only get one shot at treatment, he shut me down and said it was my husband who had the final decision. My opinion did not count and my concerns were not heard. It would be nice to know what the most current treatment is at the bigger centres. When the biopsy comes back with HPV positive, the outcomes are better. In our case, at 70, the 35 rounds of radiation was his only treatment, due to the risks associated with Cisplatin at his age. It is not that the drug is not good, but the side effects for an older individual is something to discuss with your Oncologist. Robotic surgery also was not offered. At times, we both felt like we needed to push harder for treatment. We are not through this yet, as his first PET scan 3 months post treatment still showed some activity. He is scheduled for a second PET scan which will be 6 months post treatment. We are Canadians who are faced with a crumbling health care system. You are so right. It is paramount for one to take the reins of this pursuit. My husband is a passive patient, and for me it has been a difficult journey. I would have pushed harder if it had been me, and it has created a strain on our relationship for reasons I won’t go into here. A cancer diagnosis is a huge test in all areas from the first steps taken. Keep a journal, do your research and please encourage the patient to get the best treatment available. The brilliant research and the treatments coming should be available for everyone.