TY - JOUR
T1 - Best practice in reducing the suicide risk in head and neck cancer patients
T2 - a structured review
AU - Twigg, J.A.
AU - Anderson, J.M.
AU - Humphris, G.
AU - Nixon, I.
AU - Rogers, S.N.
AU - Kanatas, A.
PY - 2020/11/30
Y1 - 2020/11/30
N2 - The treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) is often radical and the patient's journey challenging, especially for individuals who are struggling with pre-existing mental health problems and who lack social support. Patients frequently suffer from high levels of emotional distress at some point before, during, or after treatment, and their risk of suicide is markedly elevated. This structured review aimed to identify the extent of the problem, appropriate interventions, and areas for future research. We found that the incidence of suicide among HNC patients was significantly elevated above that of the demographically matched general population. Furthermore, the risk was frequently higher in patients with HNC than in those with cancers in other sites. Despite the clear burden of suicide in patients with HNC, there is an absence of evidence on interventions used to reduce suicidal ideation and the risk of suicide. Recommendations for practice are made, drawing from the wider literature on the prevention of suicide.
AB - The treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) is often radical and the patient's journey challenging, especially for individuals who are struggling with pre-existing mental health problems and who lack social support. Patients frequently suffer from high levels of emotional distress at some point before, during, or after treatment, and their risk of suicide is markedly elevated. This structured review aimed to identify the extent of the problem, appropriate interventions, and areas for future research. We found that the incidence of suicide among HNC patients was significantly elevated above that of the demographically matched general population. Furthermore, the risk was frequently higher in patients with HNC than in those with cancers in other sites. Despite the clear burden of suicide in patients with HNC, there is an absence of evidence on interventions used to reduce suicidal ideation and the risk of suicide. Recommendations for practice are made, drawing from the wider literature on the prevention of suicide.
KW - free tissue transfer
KW - Head and neck cancer
KW - oncology
KW - suicide prevention
KW - suicide risk
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087937976&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.06.035
DO - 10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.06.035
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32682651
AN - SCOPUS:85087937976
VL - 58
SP - e6-e15
JO - British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
JF - British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
SN - 0266-4356
IS - 9
ER -