Influence of pretreatment social support on health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: Results from a prospective study

Abstract

BackgroundHead and neck cancer and its treatment can have considerable impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). The present study investigated whether social support, assessed before treatment, predicted HRQOL outcomes up to 12 months later in head and neck cancer survivors.MethodsUsing a prospective longitudinal design, patients (n = 364) were assessed on several clinical and psychosocial characteristics at diagnosis and then at 3‐ and 12‐month follow‐up appointments. HRQOL was assessed with the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI).ResultsHierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that greater perceived support present at diagnosis significantly predicted more favorable global and head and neck cancer‐specific HRQOL at 3‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.ConclusionResults suggest that adequate social support at diagnosis can have a significant, positive impact on HRQOL in head and neck cancer survivors. Thus, it may be useful to evaluate support resources at diagnosis in order to identify individuals at risk for poor HRQOL outcomes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012

Psychological support needs of patients with head and neck cancer and their caregivers: A qualitative study

“…Such support was identified as useful at reducing feelings of distress, a finding consistent with prior research demonstrating a link between available support at HNC diagnosis and less depressive symptomology six months later (de Leeuw et al, 2001). The availability of social support has also been associated with global and condition-specific quality of life in this patient group (Howren, Christensen, Karnell, Van Liew, & Funk, 2013;Karnell, Christensen, Rosenthal, Magnuson, & Funk, 2007). A systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies describing the psychological experience of living with HNC corroborates the importance of social support, with patients utilizing their support networks in order to cope both emotionally and practically with the disease (Lang et al, 2013).…”

Physical and emotional well-being and support in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patient–caregiver dyads

“…These unique and time-consuming caregiving responsibilities were described as distressing, consistent with prior research showing increased burden for HNC caregivers when patients have more needs (Chen et al, 2009). HNC caregiver interventions are limited (Howren et al, 2013) and future emphasis should be placed on addressing caregivers’ needs as they undertake new care responsibilities. Interestingly, caregiver type was not associated with well-being patterns, highlighting potential equal HNC impact on caregivers at this time.…”

“…In addition to often facing disfigurement, daily functioning can be impacted in such critical ways as breathing, communication, and swallowing impairments (Jacobi, van der Molen, Huiskens, van Rossum, & Hilgers, 2010; Murphy & Deng, 2015; Ringash, 2015; So et al, 2012). An emerging body of evidence using varied HNC populations and study designs has begun to characterize the physical and emotional well-being of patients (Chandu, Smith, & Rogers, 2006; Funk, Karnell, & Christensen, 2012; Howren, Christensen, Karnell, & Funk, 2013; Murphy, Ridner, Wells, & Dietrich, 2007; Rogers et al, 2009). In addition to highlighting challenging treatment effects, this research has emphasized unique difficulties some patients face with tobacco and alcohol addictions (Hashibe et al, 2007) and managing complex follow-up care (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016).…”

“…In addition to highlighting challenging treatment effects, this research has emphasized unique difficulties some patients face with tobacco and alcohol addictions (Hashibe et al, 2007) and managing complex follow-up care (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). More research is needed to direct psychosocial HNC intervention development (Howren et al, 2013). …”

Influencia de las características demográficas y variables clínicas en la percepción de apoyo social en pacientes con cáncer

“…Emotional support specifi cally was a signifi cant predictor of mental well-being and improved physical health (Bloom, 1990;Helgeson & Cohen, 1996). Moreover, adequate social support at diagnosis had a positive impact on health related quality of life in cancer survivors (Howren, Christensen, Karnell, Van Liew & Funk, 2013).…”