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Psychosocial impact of human papillomavirus‐related head and neck cancer on patients and their partners: A qualitative interview study
Author(s) -
Dodd Rachael H.,
Forster Alice S.,
Marlow Laura A. V.,
Waller Jo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12999
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , thematic analysis , embarrassment , feeling , qualitative research , family medicine , human papillomavirus , head and neck cancer , cancer , gynecology , oncology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , psychology , social psychology , social science , sociology
Abstract Objective Increasing numbers of patients face the psychosocial challenge of a diagnosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). We explored the psychosocial impact of an HPV‐OSCC diagnosis for patients and their partners. Methods In‐depth interviews were conducted with patients ( n = 20) and a subset of their partners ( n = 12), identified through medical records at two UK hospitals. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic Framework Analysis. Results Only 12/20 patients interviewed (and five partners) were aware of their HPV status and the main analysis focused on this sub‐sample. In discussing the cause of their cancer, patients and their partners talked about not wanting to know; whether they disclosed the cause of their cancer to others; their reactions to being diagnosed with HPV; the prognosis information they were given and the questions they had about HPV. Most concerns were cancer‐related rather than HPV‐related, but some patients ( n = 3) described feelings of embarrassment and perceived stigma about HPV. Conclusion Some patients and partners who are told HPV is the cause of their OSCC have questions about HPV and seek further information. Concerns and uncertainties about the sexually transmitted nature of HPV need to be addressed by health professionals.