The Association of Education, Employment and Living with a Partner with the Treatment among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

The aim of this study was to explore possible associations between social and socioeconomic status and ongoing treatment among patients with head and neck cancer. Data from 159 examined patients treated with head and neck cancer during the period from 2011 to 2012 were explored. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess association of social status (living with somebody vs. living alone), socioeconomic status (employed vs. unemployed) and education (primary/secondary/university) with treatment. The results from logistic regression showed significant association of employment status and education with both interruption in radiochemotherapy and searching for additional help after surgery. Interruption of radiochemotherapy was almost 3 times more likely in a group of unemployed compared to the employed patients. Lack of searching for help after surgery was almost 4 times more likely in a group of unemployed compared to the employed and 5 times more likely in the group with the lowest education compared with the group with the highest education. The study suggests that special attention needs to be paid, not only during but also after treatment, to the patients from low socioeconomic groups.