Multidimensional analysis of body image concerns among newly diagnosed patients with oral cavity cancer.
BACKGROUND
Body image is a critical psychosocial issue for patients facing treatment for oral cancer, yet there is limited research conducted in this area. This study uses a multidimensional approach to body image assessment and evaluates relationships between body image, demographic, health, and psychosocial variables.


METHODS
Newly diagnosed patients with oral cancer completed self-report questionnaires and a structured clinical interview.


RESULTS
Most participants identified current and/or future body image concerns primarily related to impending surgery. Adequate psychometric properties were demonstrated on a range of body image measures. Depression was the strongest and most consistent predictor of body image outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary evidence supports the importance of evaluating body image concerns in oral cancer patients prior to surgical intervention. Our findings have implications for developing validated body image tools and can be used to guide psychosocial interventions targeting body image disturbance.
Fingeret
Michelle Cororve
MC
Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA. mcfinger@mdanderson.org
Vidrine
Damon J
DJ
Reece
Gregory P
GP
Gillenwater
Ann M
AM
Gritz
Ellen R
ER
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult