An investigation of psychological distress in patients who have been treated for head and neck cancer

There is now ample evidence that psychological distress is common in patien ts with head and neck cancer and that psychology has a role in reducing thi s distress. In this study, the prevalence, nature, and correlates of distre ss were investigated, in 18 patients who were no longer being actively trea ted but were attending a follow-up clinic or support group (n =9 each). Fou r of the patients had appreciable psychological distress and four each had anxiety or depression of at least borderline importance. The degree of depr ession and distress decreased with increasing age and there were trends for depression to decrease with time after the onset of the illness and to be slightly less common among those attending the support group (2/9 compared to 4/9). Numerous psychosocial difficulties were reported and perceptions o f support available from friends and family were mixed. There are implicati ons for services, and in particular, patients need to be given clear inform ation about the resources available to give them psychosocial support. (C) 2001 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.