Impact of head and neck cancer on partner's sociability

Guillaume Grandazzi (1) , Lise-Marie Roussel (1, 2) , Florence Cuny (2) , Fabrice Morlais (1) , Ludivine Launay (1) , Emmanuelle Babin (1, 2)

1 ANTICIPE - Unité de recherche interdisciplinaire pour la prévention et le traitement des cancers
2 Service d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie (O.R.L.) et de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale [CHU Caen]

Introduction: "Sociability" is defined as the range of experiences linking the subject to others. This is the first study to focus specifically on the impact of head and neck cancer on the sociability of patients' partners. Method: Data were collected via a dedicated questionnaire sent to patients' partners. The main endpoint was partner's self-assessment of the impact of the patient's disease on the partner's everyday life. The impact on sociability was analyzed with respect to: the circle of friends (friendship environment), unknown environment, known outside environment, necessary environment, and solitary activities. Results: Two hundred and seventy partners responded. Their everyday activities were impacted by the patient's disease in 71.5% of cases. The friendship environment was badly affected in 46.4% of cases. The unknown environment was affected in 44.0% of cases. Social practices related to the known outside environment were affected in 67.8% of cases, and the necessary environment in 26.0%; the number of solitary activities increased in 35.6% of cases. Social impact on patients' partners was thus considerable.

Keywords: Head and neck neoplasms; Sociability; Partner; Sociology; Quality of life

Domains: Humanities and Social Sciences; Sociology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Santé publique et épidémiologie

Guillaume Grandazzi, Lise-Marie Roussel, Florence Cuny, Fabrice Morlais, Ludivine Launay, et al.. Impact of head and neck cancer on partner's sociability. European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases, 2019, 136 (3), pp.165-168. ⟨10.1016/j.anorl.2019.02.017⟩. ⟨hal-02285984⟩