The relationship between role preferences in decision-making and level of psychological distress in patients with head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) represents more than ten different primary tumour sites, with many possible types of cancer (pathology) within each. The treatment decisions are often complex because of the functional morbidity associated with radical surgery and high-dose radiotherapy, the main forms of HNC treatment. These decisions have a significant impact on a patient ’s body image, psychological wellbeing, productivity, and lifestyle [1–4]. Whilst the importance of these decisions is undisputed, at present, there is little to guide clinicians regarding how active patients want to be in the decision-making process.
Source: Patient Education and Counseling - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research