Research shows that coordinated support is important for head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and a disease that affects the ability to speak, eat, swallow and taste. A study now shows that patients with this condition need coordinated support regarding oral care and nutritional intake – both during and after treatment.
Such cancers are most prevalent in developing countries, where it is the second or third most common form of cancer. However, even in Sweden, the number of cases has increased in recent years, albeit from a relatively low level: currently just over 1,700 cases per year.
If this information is collected in a standardised manner and is available to both medical and dental care providers, all healthcare professionals involved can work more cohesively based on the same data.
Charlott Karlsson
Treatment is normally conducted with radiotherapy, sometimes combined with chemotherapy or surgery, which can cause significant discomfort in the mouth and daily challenges for those affected. This often results in a reduced quality of life.
In her doctoral thesis, Charlott Karlsson has investigated – both clinically and from the patients’ perspectives – how the oral health and daily lives of the patients are prosepectively and actively affected physically, psychologically, and socially during and after their treatment. This often involves mouth ulcers (oral mucositis), dry mouth, and thick saliva, as well as changes in taste, reduced appetite, and weight loss.
“My research shows that mouth ulcers affect patients’ quality of life in a clear and very significant way. Many symptoms subside once treatment is complete, but dry mouth, thick saliva and changes in taste can persist and affect both daily life and social situations,” she says.
The study also shows that there are differences between men and women regarding certain symptoms. Men reported more pain and a greater need for nutritional support, whilst women more often mentioned dry mouth and weight loss.
Furthermore, patients with low saliva production, regardless of gender, were more likely to experience difficulties with eating and the social aspects of mealtimes. Another finding was that good oral hygiene, and self-efficacy can help patients get through the tough and protracted treatment.
“Our studies show that the combination of clinical assessment and patients’ reports of symptoms, both during and after treatment, is of great importance.
“If this information is collected in a standardised manner and is available to both medical and dental care providers, all healthcare professionals involved can work more cohesively based on the same data.
“This could contribute to more personalised care, reduced symptoms and an improved quality of life for patients,” says Karlsson.
The thesis shows it is clear that these patients require coordinated support regarding oral care and nutritional intake, both during and after the completion of cancer treatment.
“An interesting step forward would be to investigate healthcare staff’s knowledge of oral health in cancer patients. This would provide a basis for potentially developing training in this area for these staff groups and, in a way, further contribute to coordination,” adds Karlsson.
