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The existence and importance of patients' mental images of their head and neck cancer: A qualitative study.

Heidi LangEmma F FranceBrian WilliamsGerald M HumphrisMary Wells
Published in: PloS one (2018)
People with head and neck cancer may develop a mental image of their disease, often generated early within clinical encounters, which can both reflect and influence their understanding of the cancer. Such images tend to be stable over time. We theorise that careful use of images in early consultations could avoid or minimise some distress, including fears of outcome or recurrence. Concrete or similic images and language could be employed later to change perceptions and reduce distress.
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