Abstract
Increasing attention is being given to evaluating and treating body image difficulties of patients undergoing cancer treatment. Head and neck cancer significantly alters physical appearance and bodily functioning and therefore directly impacts body image. Research involving body image in head and neck cancer patients is growing, and this review considers published findings from 2013 to 2014. Primary attention is given to discussing recent advancements in body image assessment, qualitative studies, descriptive research, and psychosocial intervention studies relevant to body image. Limitations and necessary advancements in this field are noted, and a commentary is provided on the state of the current literature.
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References
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported in part by the American Cancer Society, MRSG-10-010-01-CPPB, and MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant (P30-CA016672).
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Irene Teo and Keelan Goettsch declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Michelle Cororve Fingeret reports grants from the American Cancer Society and the National Institute of Health during the conduct of the study.
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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.
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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Head and Neck Cancers
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Fingeret, M.C., Teo, I. & Goettsch, K. Body Image: a Critical Psychosocial Issue for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 17, 422 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-014-0422-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-014-0422-0