Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Mar 24:13:816587.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.816587. eCollection 2022.

Body Image Concerns in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Longitudinal Study

Melissa Henry  1   2   3   4   5 , Justine G Albert  1   3 , Saul Frenkiel  2   5 , Michael Hier  1   2   3   5 , Anthony Zeitouni  2   6 , Karen Kost  2   6 , Alex Mlynarek  2   5   6 , Martin Black  2   5 , Christina MacDonald  5   7 , Keith Richardson  2   6 , Marco Mascarella  2   5 , Gregoire B Morand  2 , Gabrielle Chartier  5   7 , Nader Sadeghi  2   6 , Christopher Lo  8   9   10 , Zeev Rosberger  1   3   11
Affiliations

Body Image Concerns in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Longitudinal Study

Melissa Henry et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatments are known to significantly affect functionality and appearance, leading to an increased risk for body image disturbances. Yet, few longitudinal studies exist to examine body image in these patients. Based on a conceptual model, the current study aimed to determine, in patients newly diagnosed with HNC: (1) the prevalence, level, and course of body image concerns; (2) correlates of upon cancer diagnosis (pre-treatment) body image concerns; (3) predictors of immediate post-treatment body image concerns; and (4) association between body image concerns and levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, support (i.e., satisfaction with support from physician, social/family wellbeing, and unmet support needs), and alcohol and drug misuse.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-three (participation rate = 72%), newly diagnosed with a primary HNC were assessed using structured clinical interviews and psychometric measures at three, and 6 months after diagnosis. Primary outcome was 3-month, as it was most salient to body image disturbance. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted on the potential body image predictors, based on the model.

Results: Sixty-eight percent of patients with HNC (n = 148 of 218) presented some level of body image concerns. Body image concerns at baseline (i.e., upon cancer diagnosis, pre-treatment) and post-treatment were significantly related and significantly increased from pre- to post-treatment. Immediately post-treatment (i.e., at 3 month follow-up), 89% (n = 132 of 148) presented some level of body image concerns. Correlates of body image concerns in patients with HNC at baseline included: physical symptom burden, difficulties with communication and eating, coping with the cancer diagnosis using denial, suicidal ideation, and having had a past anxiety diagnosis. When controlling for sociodemographic and medical variables, body image concerns in patients with HNC in the immediate post-treatment were predicted by: baseline body image, physical symptom burden, and neuroticism.

Conclusion: This longitudinal study helps identify patients more susceptible to experience body image disturbance following head and neck cancer. Clinicians ought to pay special attention to body image concerns upon cancer diagnosis, physical symptom burden, and neuroticism, and may want to target these factors in future preventive interventions.

Keywords: body image; cancer; head and neck cancer; oncology; psycho-oncology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Conceptual model of predictors of body image concerns in patients with HNC.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Levels of body image concerns upon HNC diagnosis.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Levels of body image concerns immediately post-treatment in patients with HNC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Alias A., Henry M. (2018). Psychosocial effects of head and neck cancer. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. Clin. North Am. 30 499–512. - PubMed
    1. Allen M. S., Walter E. E. (2016). Personality and body image: A systematic review. Body Image 19 79–88. 10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.08.012 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Alleva J. M., Diedrichs P. C., Halliwell E., Martijn C., Stuijfzand B. G., Treneman-Evans G., et al. (2018). More than my RA: A randomized trial investigating body image improvement among women with rheumatoid arthritis using a functionality-focused intervention program. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 86 666–676. 10.1037/ccp0000317 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Armstrong L., Rimes K. A. (2016). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for neuroticism (stress vulnerability): A pilot randomized study. Behav. Therapy 47 287–298. 10.1016/j.beth.2015.12.005 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Barakat L. P., Galtieri L. R., Szalda D., Schwartz L. A. (2016). Assessing the psychosocial needs and program preferences of adolescents and young adults with cancer. Support Care Canc. 24 823–832. 10.1007/s00520-015-2849-8 - DOI - PubMed