Body image and how to deal with head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer affects a visible and conspicuous area of ​​the body. Survivors often experience changes in their body image or the way they see themselves. Physical changes after treatment can lead to decreased ability to smile, swallow, and speak, which can contribute to body image concerns. These worries can be mild or severe; however, these negative perceptions of appearance or function involve the head and neck and may be associated with depression, isolation, and reduced quality of life.
How common are body image changes in head and neck cancer patients?
Accurate estimates of body image concerns in head and neck cancer survivors are not known, yet up to 75% of head and neck cancer patients report concerns about head and neck cancer. body image before or after treatment.
The importance of body image and its perception varies from patient to patient. The risk of body image anxiety is highest in people who have just finished treatment, although some head and neck cancer survivors may experience more lingering body image concerns.
It is not known how body image concerns change over time in long-term head and neck cancer survivors. While most concerns during and immediately after treatment are usually related to survival and function, body image disturbances may play a more important role for long-term survivors and survivors. can significantly affect their quality of life.
Manifestations of changes in body image .
Signs and symptoms may vary from patient to patient, but generally include anxiety about appearance and anxiety about function in relation to the head and neck.
Appearance concerns can lead to personal dissatisfaction with appearance (self-consciousness or shame about the patient's appearance), anxiety about how others perceive one's appearance (discomfort when others comment on how you look) or try to hide signs of head and neck cancer (cover your neck with a scarf).
Impairment may include shyness when eating in front of others, anxiety about drooling, or frustration when others cannot understand what you are saying. Body image concerns can cause patients to become isolated and avoid social situations such as going to church, the grocery store, or seeing friends and family.

2.1. Body image concerns Oncologists may ask questions to help you identify your specific body image concerns. Healthcare professionals can also use the questionnaire to ask about common body image concerns among head and neck cancer patients.
Because body image concerns are highly personal, it is important that you share your experiences with oncologists.
Objective interventions for changing body image may not be as effective as understanding your experience. Formal evaluation by a psychologist or psychiatrist can be very helpful in making an accurate diagnosis regarding your concerns about body image.
2.2. How to cope with changing body image in head and neck cancer The diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including head and neck cancer, always causes physical, psychological, emotional and cognitive changes spirituality of the patient. From hair loss caused by chemotherapy and radiation, to changes in sexual function, to scarring after surgery, to a altered, sometimes permanent, body image. Surgery for head and neck cancer can cause major changes in facial appearance depending on how much surgery is needed to remove the cancer. Treating head and neck cancer is a challenge for every person with cancer because treatments can change body image. So how do we deal with the body image changes in head and neck cancer?
This can be very difficult. As facial appearance, voice, and eating abilities change as a result of treatment for head and neck cancer, patients must learn to adapt to their new appearance, as well as the reactions of others to the change. body image changes. Here are some steps to help you deal with the changing body image of head and neck cancer:
First, it's important not to allow yourself to grieve, but to always think positively. positive about body image changes. Second, the patient should be comfortable with the new body image. Learn how to care for scars after surgery, using assistive devices for the patient's head and neck activities. Routine dental care or makeup, share your feelings with caregivers and supporters.
Third, join or create a group with other head and neck cancer patients going through body image challenges. Finally, the patient always prepares “short words”. These are the words you give when someone asks you about changes in your appearance, speech, or eating habits after treatment for head and neck cancer. If you can't speak or are worried about people not understanding you, write the words you want to say on a piece of paper or use other suitable communication devices and tools.
Once the person is more familiar with the “new normal” of body image, share your experiences with other patients dealing with head and neck cancer, so they can get on with it. experience and knowledge of dealing with changes in body image. There is no one-size-fits-all intervention to deal with these body image changes. It is important not to isolate yourself.

3.1. Treatment of head and neck cancer There are now many head and neck cancer treatments available to address concerns about body image in head and neck cancer survivors.
There is some evidence that cognitive behavioral change therapy, provided by psychologists, can be effective. However, some other studies using masking or hiding body areas affected by head and neck cancer treatment have not been shown to be effective.
Optimizing function with speech therapy and physical therapy can also impact positively on body image changes in head and neck cancer patients.
In addition, there may be reconstructive surgery that adds to the altered body part such as plastic surgery that can have a positive effect on the change in body image. It is very important for patients to discuss this with their head and neck cancer specialists.
3.2. When to call your doctor If you are experiencing some of the symptoms listed (or experiencing similar types of anxiety), you should talk to the doctors who are taking care of your health and ask for help. help.
If you are unsure, talk to your healthcare provider as they can give you additional information about these concerns. They can determine if head and neck cancer body image concerns are affecting you, make appropriate referrals, and provide treatment if necessary.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has applied radiation therapy to patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Initial results are positive and many patients are elderly but well tolerated. Depending on the location of the lesion, it will be combined with local and regional thermogenic therapy.
Oncology Department at Vinmec is fully equipped with cancer treatment modalities: From surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, radiosurgery to pain treatment and palliative care. The diagnosis is made carefully: blood test, X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, myelogram, myelogram, biopsy, immunohistochemistry, biological diagnosis molecule.
The treatment process is closely coordinated with many specialties: Center for Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Testing, Cardiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Endocrinology, Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Psychology, Department of Medicine. Nutrition, Pain Treatment and Palliative Care Department, in order to bring patients the optimal treatment regimen and the most reasonable cost.