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Fear of recurrence following head and neck cancer in the outpatient clinic

  • Head and Neck
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fear of recurrence (FOR) following head and neck cancer is one of the most frequent concerns of patients and is associated with psychological distress. The aims of this study were, first, to report the clinical characteristics of patients selected for FOR concerns on a patient concerns inventory (PCI) and, second, to compare the degree of FOR using a FOR questionnaire of those patients expressing FOR concerns on the PCI with those who did not. Two cohorts were used. The first comprised consecutive oncology patients attending clinics from August 2007 for 9 months (N = 123). These patients completed the PCI only. The second comprised patients attending the same clinic for over 4 months from October 2008 (N = 68), and this group completed both the PCI and the FOR questionnaire. FOR was the most frequently selected issue on the PCI (42%). There were no obvious differences in selecting FOR by patient characteristics. Those who scored ‘a lot’ or ‘all the time’ for questions 1–6 in the FOR questionnaire and responses (on a 10-point scale) of 7–10 for question 7 were deemed as having ‘significant’ FOR. In those raising the issue of FOR on the PCI, 79% (15/19) had significant problems compared to 24% (12/49) if they did not. FOR is a common concern and because it is not possible to identify patients based on clinical parameters, it is important to screen for FOR to direct patients to appropriate support and intervention.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Stephen Frackelton in the IT department and Norma Barrowcliff and Ruth Sturgeon in the volunteers department, at the University Hospital Aintree for their help in bringing the Patient Concerns Inventory into clinical practice. Also, we recognise the contribution of the patients, carers, support groups and colleagues in the item selection of the PCI.

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None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Evidence Based Practice Research Centre (EPRC), Faculty of Health, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP, UK

    S. N. Rogers & D. Lowe

  2. Consultant Regional Maxillofacial Unit, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, L9 1AE, UK

    S. N. Rogers

  3. Physiotherapy Department, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK

    B. Scott

  4. School of Medicine, Medical and Biological Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9TF, UK

    G. Ozakinci & G. M. Humphris

Authors
  1. S. N. Rogers
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  2. B. Scott
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  3. D. Lowe
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  4. G. Ozakinci
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  5. G. M. Humphris
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. N. Rogers.

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Rogers, S.N., Scott, B., Lowe, D. et al. Fear of recurrence following head and neck cancer in the outpatient clinic. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 267, 1943–1949 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1307-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1307-y

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