Exercise is now widely accepted as a safe, cost-efficient, and effective intervention
for survivors of cancer.
1
,
2
,
3
Considerable scientific evidence supports its efficacy in improving the quality of
life of survivors,
3
as it helps to prevent and manage comorbidities,
2
and reduces cancer-specific and all-cause mortality.
4
Evidence-based guidelines have been published to inform medical and allied health
professionals about how best to prescribe it,
5
,
6
,
7
,
8
,
9
but an important issue is the current lack of specific guidelines for different cancers,
despite apparent differences in the physical manifestations of the disease and its
treatment. One group of cancers for which this seems particularly relevant is head
and neck cancer (HNC), which includes malignancies of the lips, mouth, oropharynx,
nasopharynx, larynx, salivary glands, and paranasal sinuses.
10
Survivors of HNC share many of the same issues as those treated for other cancers
(intrusive treatments, dependency, the threat of recurrence, and early mortality),
10
but the notable biopsychosocial issues they experience are either unique to the disease
or are more severe.
11
,
12
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Published online: July 02, 2020
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Crown Copyright © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. All rights reserved.
