Associations among speech, eating, and body image concerns for surgical patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Body image can be affected by bodily experiences extending beyond physical appearance. This study evaluated associations among speech, eating, and body image concerns for surgically treated patients with oral cavity, midface, and cutaneous cancers of the head and neck.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 280 participants completed the Body Image Scale, a survey evaluating disease-specific body image issues, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General.

RESULTS: Participants with speech and eating concerns reported the highest levels of body image/appearance dissatisfaction compared with those without such concerns. This group also reported greater cognitive and behavioral difficulties associated with body image concerns and significantly higher levels of interest in psychosocial interventions to address appearance-related difficulties compared with all other participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings point to the need for more comprehensive psychosocial care for patients with head and neck malignancies reporting speech and eating difficulties, which extent beyond functional rehabilitation.