Survivorship Interest, Knowledge Limited in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

TUESDAY, May 13, 2025 (HealthDay News) — About one-third of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) survivors who have undergone radiation therapy (RT) are interested in, prioritize, and have information related to survivorship, according to a study published online April 29 in Supportive Care in Cancer.

Alexis Larson, A.P.R.N., from Northwestern University in Chicago, and colleagues examined survivorship interest and needs following RT among patients with HNSCC. Participants completed questions based on the five-domain Cancer Survivorship Framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Overall, 317 of 1,123 patients participated; 66 percent finished treatment more than two years earlier. The researchers found that 36, 34, and 28 percent of patients were interested in, prioritized, and had information related to survivorship, respectively. For survivorship domains, dry mouth and trouble swallowing were the most bothersome of the physical effects (40 and 24 percent, respectively). Current depression and feeling that mental health needs were not addressed during treatment were reported psychosocial effects (15 and 71 percent, respectively). Of the participants, 42 percent felt that diet, exercise, and smoking were not addressed. Most of the participants (76 percent) understood the importance of cancer screening. Most of the patients wished to address survivorship topics in one long visit and preferred in-person visits (45 and 60 percent, respectively). Insurance coverage and scheduling concerns were potential barriers.

“These findings provide a foundation for developing robust survivorship care programs that meet the diverse needs of this patient population,” the authors write.

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