Work

Psychological factors associated with head and neck cancer treatment and survivorship: Evidence and opportunities for behavioral medicine.

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) not only face a potentially life-threatening diagnosis but must endure treatment that often results in significant, highly visible disfigurement and disruptions of essential functioning, such as deficits or complications in eating, swallowing, breathing, and speech. Each year, approximately 650,000 new cases are diagnosed, making HNC the 6th most common type of cancer in the world. Despite this, however, HNC remains understudied in behavioral medicine. In this article, the authors review available evidence regarding several important psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with HNC diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, as well as various psychosocial interventions conducted in this patient population, before concluding with opportunities for behavioral medicine research and practice.

Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/a0029940

Authors: M. Bryant Howren, Alan J. Christensen, Lucy Hynds Karnell, Gerry F. Funk

Institutions: Iowa City VA Health Care System, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Language: English

Topic: Cancer survivorship and care

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Public Health Service, National Cancer Institute