Psychosocial Support in Head and Neck Cancer Care – [Podcast] Ep 163

Advancements in treatment combined with a multimodal approach are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer. However, the unique challenges of a head and neck cancer diagnosis and its treatment side effects—such as speech and communication difficulties as well as negative effects on body image and self-esteem—can significantly impact a patient’s mental health. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS, clinical oncology social worker at UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, clinical oncology social worker at David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital, about providing optimal psychosocial support for this patient population. 

“Ask your patients ‘what is most valuable to you, what gets you up in the morning…what do you draw strength from?’ If we can tap into what is essential for them to be happy in life, [we can] try to problem solve and build skills in them so that they can counter some of the issues that they'll experience because of their treatment.”–Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS 

“What we want is the patients at the center, and we want to build out a team around them so that they have as much support as possible, and that the energy is coming into the patient versus the patient trying to find these things [psychosocial care, dieticians, speech and language pathologists, oncology social workers].” –Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C

Guest:

Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, OSW-C, CTTS 

Clinical Oncology Social Worker, Head and Neck Surgery

UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dallas, TX 

Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C 

Clinical Oncology Social Worker

David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital

San Diego, CA 

This episode, developed in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Care, was made possible with support by EMD Serono.

Additional Reading/Sources

• Beyond the Brush: Navigating Dental Care in Head & Neck Cancer [Podcast] Ep 149
• Making the Case for Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Navigators [Podcast] Ep 143
• Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care
• Head and Neck Patient and Caregiver Resources