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Psychosocial Needs of Head and Neck Cancer Patients and the Role of the Clinical Social Worker

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Multidisciplinary Care of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 174))

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the demographics and risk factors in the population diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC), what challenges these patients face post-treatment and what the role of psychosocial support through clinical social work is in managing these stressors. While many forms of head and neck cancer found in the early stages have a high cure rate, the side effects of treatment for these cancers have major life-altering effects. Previously, the majority of those diagnosed with head and neck cancers were those who used excessive alcohol and tobacco, but the numbers are changing to include the human papillomavirus (HPV) as a major risk factor. Due to the behavioral risk factors that are often causes of head and neck cancers and the effects of treatment that often lend to psychosocial distress, the role of psychosocial intervention at time of diagnosis throughout the disease trajectory is essential for compliance with treatment and healthy coping post-treatment. Clinical social workers play an essential role within the multidisciplinary team of assessment and interventions for managing patient’s psychosocial distress.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA

    Natalie Thome, Nellie Garcia & Karen Clark

Authors
  1. Natalie Thome
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  2. Nellie Garcia
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  3. Karen Clark
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Correspondence to Natalie Thome .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA

    Ellie Maghami

  2. Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Allen S. Ho

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Thome, N., Garcia, N., Clark, K. (2018). Psychosocial Needs of Head and Neck Cancer Patients and the Role of the Clinical Social Worker. In: Maghami, E., Ho, A. (eds) Multidisciplinary Care of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 174. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65421-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65421-8_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-65420-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-65421-8

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