Head And Neck – Concerns of Late-Effects and Recurrence (HAN-CLEaR)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the role of psychological flexibility on fear of cancer recurrence, concerns about late-effects, and health related quality of life in a post-treatment community sample of head and neck cancer patients: A cross-sectional study.
IRAS ID
347912
Contact name
Darren Reynolds
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
People who have had head and neck cancer often worry about their cancer coming back and about long-term side effects from their treatment (known as 'Late Effects'). These fears and worries can be upsetting and disrupt their day-to-day lives. For example, the fear of cancer returning can lower their quality of life, affect their mental health, and reduce their confidence in managing their health. It can also lead to more frequent use of healthcare services.
This study aims to explore how 'psychological flexibility' — the ability to adapt to challenging situations — may affect the development of these fears and concerns in adults who have been treated for head and neck cancer. Understanding the psychological factors involved in these fears is important, and this research will investigate this specifically in head and neck cancer patients.
If 'psychological flexibility' is found to play a key role, it could support the creation of new psychological treatments to help reduce fears about cancer returning. These treatments could improve the mental well-being and overall functioning of head and neck cancer patients.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0318
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion