Psychosocial factors and patient and healthcare delays in large (class T3–T4) oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal carcinomas

Abstract

Abstract Background Psychosocial factors and socioeconomic status have been associated with incidence, survival, and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. We investigated the association between different psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, and patient delays in T3–T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. Patients and methods We conducted a nationwide prospective questionnaire-based study (n = 203) over a 3-year period. Results We found no association between psychosocial factors (depression, social isolation, loneliness, and cynical hostility) and patient delay. Depression was three times more common among head and neck cancer patients compared with the general Finnish population. Head and neck cancer patients had lower educational levels and employment status, and were more often current smokers and heavy drinkers. Conclusions Although we found no association between patient delay and psychosocial factors, patients diagnosed with a large head and neck cancer appeared to have a lower socioeconomic status and higher risk for developing depression, which should be considered in clinical practice.

Keywords

• Patient delay
• Healthcare delay
• Psychosocial factors
• Socioeconomic status
• Head and neck cancer
• Cancer awareness