Head and neck (HN) cancers involve highly visible body parts, structurally complex, and crucial to survival. A diagnosis of HN cancer, like any cancer diagnosis, is often accompanied by much fear and uncertainty. In addition, patients treated for HN cancer face difficulties in eating, chewing, drinking, breathing, speaking, as well as changes in appearance. Simultaneously, the burden of HN cancer is often manifested in psychosocial dysfunction, which can have a negative impact on quality of life (QL). Psychosocial interventions such as education along with cognitive-behavioral therapy generally provide an overall positive effect. With the growing impetus to investigate factors associated with these dysfunctions and disfigurement caused by the treatment, and considerable advancement in the development and validation of many global and disease-specific measures, there is an opportunity for further research to develop an appropriate clinical intervention program for such patients so that these patients can live a near normal life. Life style changes including dietary habits make gross changes in QL.
Keywords: Head and neck cancer; Life style management; Psychosocial interventions; Quality of life.