Well-being and quality of life among oral cancer patients - Psychological vulnerability and coping responses upon entering initial treatment.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the psychological constitution and potential coping mechanisms of oral cancer patients when they enter initial treatment. This study aimed at 1) establishing a feasible study protocol and 2) implementing it to examine patients' coping and psychological responses during the initial treatment phase in the hospital.

METHODS

In three consecutive feasibility phases a study procedure including measurement time points and instrumentation as well as a patient recruitment strategy was developed. To assess patients' responses, the following qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaires) measures were applied: WOC-CA, briefCOPE, HADS, EORTCQlQC30- H&N35 and SAM/POMS.

RESULTS

Results revealed a highly burdened and distressed patient group that had not yet developed clear coping strategies. Further, one third of examined patients showed severe levels of anxiety and depression, indicating a high vulnerability to develop psychological disorders.

CONCLUSION

At this early stage of oral cancer treatment, potential psychosocial interventions should prioritize addressing anxiety and depression to enable patients to develop functional coping strategies later on.