Abstract
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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 15, 2020
Accepted:
June 19,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
