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Head and neck cancer survivorship from the patient perspective
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Head and neck cancer survivorship from the patient perspective

Nitin A. Pagedar, Nicholas Kendell, Alan J. Christensen, Timothy A. Thomsen, Michaela Gist and Aaron T. Seaman
Head & neck, Vol.42(9), pp.2431-2439
09/01/2020
DOI: 10.1002/hed.26265
PMCID: PMC7524584
PMID: 32445236
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/7524584View
Open Access

Abstract

Background Survivorship is a critical part of head and neck cancer (HNC) care. In order to design better processes, we assessed care provided to long-term HNC survivors and their priorities for ongoing care. Methods A survey was provided to HNC survivors at clinic appointments, including our HNC survivorship clinic. Questions focused on priorities for care in the otolaryngology clinic, types of care provided, and opioid use. Results Of 168 respondents, the most common priority for survivors was surveillance for recurrence (first priority in 75%), with general health the next most common (8%). Few respondents reported active primary care involvement in survivorship. About 10% of patients reported current opioid use. Conclusion Survivors face a large burden of symptoms and deficits, but our data show that most survivors focus on recurrence. Few survivors reported recall of survivorship care plan delivery or discussing cancer care needs with primary care providers.
Life Sciences & Biomedicine Otorhinolaryngology Science & Technology Surgery

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