Characterizing social and family support and their predictors in head and neck cancer survivors

Social support is a common measure in health and social sciences, and its absence or deficit can be a negative indicator for clinical and psychological outcomes in several diseases [1]. It is an important predictor of quality of life in patients with different types of cancer [2]. In head and neck cancer (HNC), social support can be particularly crucial due to the marked disruption of essential functioning, and changes in speech, eating, and facial aesthetics. Recent evidence from patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy reinforces this association, demonstrating that symptom clusters and social support significantly impact quality of life [3].