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Resilience: an essential element in head and neck cancer survivorship and quality of life

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Abstract

Purpose

Individuals with head and neck cancer (HNCa) face myriad biopsychosocial challenges. Even after treatment completion, these challenges may cause continued disablement and diminished quality of life (QoL). Resilience may serve to minimize the disabling impact of HNCa and, in turn, maximize QoL. The purpose of this study was to formally assess resilience in HNCa survivors and explore its relationship with QoL.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Forty HNCa survivors completed three validated, self-report questionnaires pertaining to the collection of resilience and QoL data. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed.

Results

Resilience was identified in HNCa survivors and a positive correlation was found between resilience and QoL.

Conclusions

Data suggest that resilience may buffer the influence of HNCa on QoL. Thus, screening for reduced levels of resilience may proactively facilitate identification of those who are most vulnerable to the psychosocial impact of HNCa. Interventions that foster resilience may ameliorate the challenges of HNCa and maximize QoL.

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Data Availability

Data and material can be made available upon approval through ethics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the editor and the anonymous reviewer for their valuable and highly constructive feedback and input on this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Well-Being and Quality of Life in Oncology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, Elborn College, Room 2200, 1201 Western Rd., London, N6G 1H1, Canada

    Chelsea MacDonald & Philip C. Doyle

  2. School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Julie A. Theurer

  3. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, Canada

    Julie A. Theurer, Kevin Fung, John Yoo & Philip C. Doyle

  4. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Philip C. Doyle

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  1. Chelsea MacDonald
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  4. John Yoo
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  5. Philip C. Doyle
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Correspondence to Chelsea MacDonald.

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MacDonald, C., Theurer, J., Fung, K. et al. Resilience: an essential element in head and neck cancer survivorship and quality of life. Support Care Cancer 29, 3725–3733 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05873-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05873-4

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