Dr Maria Kangas awarded Cancer Council New Research Project Grants 2007 for study into treatment of anxiety and depression in head and neck cancer patients.
Dr Maria Kangas
Centre for Emotional Health
Macquarie University
Every year in NSW, more than 800 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Treatment for this disease can lead to permanent disfigurement, speech problems and the loss of taste or smell. Research has found that adults who are diagnosed with head and neck cancer are at risk of developing cancer-related anxiety, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression as a result of their cancer experience. If left untreated these individuals are at risk of experiencing psychological problems that can have a lasting impact on their social and occupational functioning and their overall quality of life.
Psychologist, Dr Maria Kangas, said that recent studies have shown that an integrative cognitive behavioural therapy approach can be helpful in managing anxiety and depression in stressed and chronically ill individuals, but it is not yet known whether this approach is effective for head and neck cancer patients.
"Our study is a randomised controlled trial designed to test whether an early, brief cognitive behavioural therapy program will reduce anxiety, stress and depression, and prevent chronic psychological problems, in head and neck cancer patients."
"We expect that a program of cognitive behaviour therapy will provide short and long-term psychological benefits to patients and improve their emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life."
"Our results will make a significant contribution to improving the clinical care provided to head and neck cancer patients, in helping them cope with their cancer experience. The expected outcomes would also strongly support the wider application of an integrative cognitive behaviour therapy approach for individuals diagnosed with various other types of cancer and other chronic medical conditions."
"Unfortunately anxiety, stress and depression generally go untreated in cancer patients."
New South Wales Cancer Council:
CIs: Kangas, & M., Milross; AI: Bryant, R.A. (AUD$270,655.00: January 2007 - December 2009)
Project Title: Treatment of anxiety and depression in head and neck cancer patients.