Henry Ford Health in Detroit is the first health care system in Michigan to join a multi-center study led by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center aimed at improving the body image of head and neck cancer survivors.
Known as the Building a Renewed Image after Head and Neck Cancer Treatment (BRIGHT) trial, the study was developed with extensive input from survivors of head and neck cancer, caregivers, oncologists, and psychologists to help identify the most effective ways to manage concerns about body image among survivors of head and neck cancer.
Individuals who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancer often experience changes to their physical appearance, independence, and ability to do certain tasks, such as eating or speaking. The BRIGHT trial is studying two six-week telemedicine-based programs to help head and neck cancer survivors adapt their thoughts, behaviors, and coping skills to their new circumstances.
“Among survivors of head and neck cancer, body image can play a significant role in quality of life,” says Dr. Steven Chang, co-investigator of the BRIGHT trial and vice chair of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Health.
“Studies have shown that approximately one in four survivors struggle with clinically significant body image distress, with younger patients, patients who have had extensive surgery, and patients who had wound healing problems at the highest risk. We are eager to participate in this important study, which has the potential to positively impact the lives of many survivors of head and neck cancer.”
This large-scale study follows the published findings of an initial pilot, which was a randomized clinical trial of 44 survivors of head and neck cancer. BRIGHT resulted in a decrease in body image distress relative to the control arm, and patients in BRIGHT were nearly seven-times more likely to have a meaningful clinical improvement.
“The results of our pilot trial evaluating tele-cognitive behavioral therapy for survivors of head and neck cancer are promising,” says Dr. Evan Graboyes, primary investigator of the BRIGHT trial and director of Survivorship and Cancer Outcomes Research at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.
“This underscores the importance of conducting a larger-scale, multi-center study with a diverse set of patients and providers. Up to this point, body image distress among survivors of head and neck cancer has been relatively understudied, which is one of the reasons why there is a lack of evidence-based treatment. We believe our efforts can help to change that paradigm and improve the lives of these survivors in very meaningful ways.”
Those who enroll in the study will meet via video teleconference with a trained provider who specializes in working with survivors who are adjusting to changes following cancer treatment. Participation in the study takes six hours over a six-week period with all the participation occurring virtually. Patients will complete questionnaires before starting the study and again two, three, six, and nine months later. If a study participant does not have a computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet access, they will be provided an internet-enabled device for the purposes of participation.
Supported by a $3.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, researchers plan to enroll 200 survivors of head and neck cancer participate in the study. Half of the patients who enroll will receive treatment with the BRIGHT Program. The other half will receive the same type of treatment, but with a broader focus on survivorship.
“Surviving head and neck cancer is not only a physical journey, but also a mental one,” says Chang. “Some may find they are adapting to a new normal, in which their physical appearance and day-to-day tasks are different than they were before cancer. For many, adapting to these changes is not easy, but we believe a cognitive behavioral therapy-based approach that gives survivors the psychological tools they need to accept these changes can make a world of difference and help them to continue leading fulfilling lives.”
To learn more about the BRIGHT Trial, visit here.