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Observations of benefit finding in head and neck cancer patients

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

Abstract

The management of head and neck cancer (HNC) can lead to potentially severe physical, functional and psychological disturbances. As a result, many HNC patients develop symptoms of depression following diagnosis and treatment. Finding benefit in a disease and its treatment can reduce the symptoms of depression and enhance quality of life (QOL). 92 patients from the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic at Auckland Hospital completed measures of unmet needs and quality of life at diagnosis, and completed measures of benefit finding, coping, fear of recurrence and depression 12–18 months later. Patients reported at least moderate benefit finding in the majority of areas. More benefit finding was predicted by the presence of more advanced disease, Maori/Pacific Island ethnicity, lower baseline QOL, and the use of active coping strategies. These findings support the view that screening for QOL at diagnosis and facilitating the development of coping skills may lead to improved benefit finding and psychological adjustment in people with head and neck cancer. Identification of the factors that facilitate benefit finding may assist management of patients after treatment for HNC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand

    Sandra Cavell & Randall P. Morton

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Elizabeth Broadbent & Liesje Donkin

  3. Oral Health Service, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand

    Kim Gear

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  1. Sandra Cavell
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  2. Elizabeth Broadbent
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  3. Liesje Donkin
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  4. Kim Gear
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  5. Randall P. Morton
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Broadbent.

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Cavell, S., Broadbent, E., Donkin, L. et al. Observations of benefit finding in head and neck cancer patients. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 273, 479–485 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3527-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3527-7

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