Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between body image and depressive symptoms in patients who have been treated for head and neck cancer.
Methods
This is a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Body image and depressive symptoms were measured in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer at baseline, end of treatment, 6 weeks post-treatment, and 12 weeks post-treatment. Body image was measured using the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.
Results
Forty-three individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer participated in this study. The majority of participants were male, Caucasian, and married or living with a partner. Participants ranged from age 32 to 78 years (M = 57.8 years, SD = 10.5 years). At 12 weeks post-treatment, body image scores were statistically significantly higher than they were at the end of treatment (p = 0.016) and 6 weeks post-treatment (p = 0.032). Statistically significant increases in levels of depressive symptoms were observed at the end of treatment (p < 0.001) and 6 weeks post-treatment (p = 0.036) with a return to baseline by the 12-week post-treatment assessment (p = 0.115). Body image and depressive symptoms were statistically significantly associated at the end of treatment, 6 weeks post-treatment, and 12 weeks post-treatment (r s −0.32 to −0.56, p < 0.05).
Conclusions
This study supports early assessment of body image in patients with head and neck cancer. Additionally, the association between poorer body image and increased depressive symptoms is key in understanding the symptom clusters that patients with head and neck cancer experience.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health 1R01CA149113-01A1, American Cancer Society DSCN-12-202-01-SCN, and National Center for Research Resources 1UL 1RR024975. The authors thank Dr. Jill Gilbert for assisting with study recruitment. The authors also acknowledge Dr. Thomas Cash who created the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory.
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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Rhoten, B.A., Deng, J., Dietrich, M.S. et al. Body image and depressive symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer: an important relationship. Support Care Cancer 22, 3053–3060 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2312-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2312-2