Results from a patient survey exploring the long-term burden of treatment on head and neck cancer patients have been reported.

After undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer, which can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, many patients report an ongoing impact on their day-to-day life.

However, 55 percent of the 118 patients surveyed indicated they did not receive the right level of information in preparation for the complications encountered from treatment.

There are around 11,900 new head and neck cancer cases in the UK every year and the incidence of head and neck cancer has increased by 32 percent since the early 1990s.

Following treatment, the survey showed 56 percent of patients had problems with simple things like swallowing, often experiencing severe pain, while two-thirds of patients experienced changes in their voice or speech.

The survey also showed self-reported change from pre- to post- treatment in vital areas including a drop in the ability to communicate (37 percent), memory loss (21 percent), and trouble sleeping (20 percent).

“These results show the impact treatment may have on head and neck cancer patients. The continued problems and symptoms experienced by patients after treatment significantly impacts patients’ daily life. We also know physical disfigurement can increase social anxiety. It is important that we raise the awareness of this and work together to provide solutions to improve and support patient outcomes,” said Mouth Cancer Foundation Clinical Ambassador Mr Mahesh Kumar.

As well as physical symptoms, treatment can have severe implications on mental health too.

52 percent of patients reported feelings of anxiety before treatment, which only reduced to 48 percent following treatment.

However, emotional and psychological support was only offered to 46 percent of patients.

A majority of patients did receive access to a clinical nurse specialist, however there was still 23 percent who were not offered this service.

Clinical nurse specialists use their skills and expertise in cancer care to provide physical and emotional support, coordinate care services and to inform and advise patients on clinical as well as practical issues, which has been shown to lead to more positive patient outcomes.

“With the incidence of head and neck cancers increasing, it is vital we understand what we can do to help patients. We are so pleased to have worked in collaboration with BMS and the Mouth Cancer Foundation to help raise awareness of this disease and understand where patients might need more help to reduce the impact on their lives. We know head and neck cancers, and the associated complications, do not get a lot of attention so it’s crucial for awareness days such as World Head and Neck Cancer Day to be used to shine a light on the disease. By doing so, it will help to improve detection, treatment and outcomes for patients,” explained Chris Curtis, Chairman of The Swallows.

Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb