ArticleCancers2021
'I Didn't Even Recognise Myself': Survivors' Experiences of Altered Appearance and Body Image Distress during and after Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer.
Article in Cancers, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 28 citations in OpenAlex.
- Mapping the radiotherapy journey of patients with head and neck cancer: A qualitative study.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2026Article
- Review
- Endoscope-assisted transoral removal of benign midline cervical neoplasms: A preliminary study.Oral and maxillofacial surgery · 2026Article
- Development and validation of a self-management ability scale for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy (SMA-HNC).Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Re-authoring the altered self: the impact of a three-phase narrative nursing intervention on body image and distress in oral squamous cell carcinoma.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- The role of aerobic and resistance exercise for cancer cachexia management - A systematic scoping review.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2025Review
- Experiences of body image changes in Chinese hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors: A qualitative study.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2025Article
- Lung cancer and the eroded self: identity challenges and mental well-being - a narrative review.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Review
- Physical activity in people affected by head and neck cancers: gender-specific barriers and preferences-ORLAPA survey results.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- Information Needs of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and Their Supports in Relation to Treatment Management Choices: Scoping Review.JMIR cancer · 2025Article
- Optimizing post-craniotomy recovery: insights from symptom network analysis in primary brain tumor patients.Neurosurgical review · 2024Article
- Psychosocial consequences of head and neck cancer symptom burden after chemoradiation: a mixed-method study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024Article
- Article
- Psychological variables associated with quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: the role of body image distress.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Article
- The circadian clock gene ARNTL overexpression suppresses oral cancer progression by inducing apoptosis via activating autophagy.Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) · 2022Article
- Barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation in patients with head and neck cancer: a scoping review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Article
- "My life's not my own": A qualitative study into the expectations of head and neck cancer carers.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Article
- Pre-Surgical Education and Discharge Planning for Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Study of Patient and Caregiver Perspectives.Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer CenterArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
purposePreparation for head and neck cancer treatment is focused on practicalities of treatment. Little or no time is spent prior to treatment discussing aesthetic results of treatment or the psychosocial impact of living with an altered appearance after treatment. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of survivors of head and neck cancers, with a focus on the psychosocial impact of altered appearance.
methodsA qualitative research approach based on social constructionist theory was used. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with survivors of head and neck cancer who had been diagnosed in the previous six years. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes.
resultsPeople diagnosed with HNC reported feeling rushed into treatment, with adequate procedural preparation but little or no preparation related to appearance. The main themes included: Preparation (sub-themes: Decision-making; and Preparation for Altered Appearance); Altered Appearance (sub-themes: Weight Loss; Face, Skin and Hair Changes; and Reconstructive Surgery); and Consequences (sub-themes Reactions from Others; Adapting to Altered Appearance).
conclusionsBody image distress related to altered appearance, contributed to psychosocial issues for many people diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Current practice provides information pre-treatment about many aspects of coping; however, the subject of appearance is not routinely addressed. Communication skills training for health professionals that improves their comfort and sensitivity in discussing and conveying compassion around issues of altered appearance, body image, and trauma, is needed to decrease suffering for survivors, support healthy adaptation to living with altered appearance, and increase their satisfaction with health care.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.