Bethany Rhoten on Body Image Issues in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Bethany Rhoten, PhD, RN, associate professor at Vanderbilt School of Nursing, discusses body image issues in patients with head and neck cancer.

Treatment of head and neck cancer can result in significant disfigurement issues and physical dysfunction including visible incisions, facial asymmetry, altered expression, and impairment of face or neck mobility.

Through her research, Rhoten found that body image tends to be poorer in the months following treatment. Any intervention that may be developed will be targeted toward patients who are less able to cope with such issues.