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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

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Open Access 13-12-2022 | Radiotherapy

Body image concerns in long-term head and neck cancer survivors: prevalence and role of clinical factors and patient-reported late effects

Authors: Anna Ivanova, Rubén Rodríguez-Cano, Ingela Lundin Kvalem, Diana Harcourt, Cecilie E. Kiserud, Cecilie D. Amdal

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 2/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are at risk of long-term body image distress (BID). We aimed to investigate the severity of BID in long-term HNC survivors and to explore the associations between sociodemographic and clinical factors, patient-reported late effects, and cancer-related body image (BI) concerns.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included quality of life and BI assessment in an 8-year (SD = 1.58) follow-up after treatment among 258 HNC survivors. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between three groups of BI concerns (no concerns, mild to moderate concerns, and BID) and patient-reported late effects. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were included in the model as covariates.

Results

A total of 51.2% of participants had mild to moderate BI concerns, and 9.5% reported BID. Compared to those with no BI concerns, participants with BID were more likely to live without a partner, to have had radiotherapy and surgery, and to report worse emotional functioning and higher oral and throat pain. Compared to participants with no BI concerns, those with mild to moderate concerns reported higher oral and throat pain and speech problems.

Conclusions

Some level of cancer-related BI concerns persisted in the majority of HNC survivors many years after treatment, while a small proportion of survivors experienced BID. BI concerns were associated with treatment modality and patients’ daily functioning and symptoms.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Insight into factors associated with BI problems may help to identify survivors at risk and may facilitate closer follow-up of survivors in need.

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Title: Body image concerns in long-term head and neck cancer survivors: prevalence and role of clinical factors and patient-reported late effects
Authors: Anna Ivanova
Rubén Rodríguez-Cano
Ingela Lundin Kvalem
Diana Harcourt
Cecilie E. Kiserud
Cecilie D. Amdal
Publication date: 13-12-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Radiotherapy
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01311-y

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for Cancer Survivors

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