Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

INTERVENTION: Participants who are recently diagnosed with a first onset head and neck cancer (HNC) and who report experiencing acute stress symptoms and/or depressive symptoms within the initial 4‐6 weeks post‐cancer diagnosis and prior to commencing their radiotherapy (primary or adjuvant) will be randomly allocated to receive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). The CBT intervention is a directive therapy that comprises relaxation, stress management and coping skills training. Therapy will be conducted on an individual face‐to‐face basis and will consist of 6 consecutive weekly meetings, 1.5 hours each, commencing on the same week as participants' scheduled radiotherapy program. Participants will also receive a booster (7th) session of CBT at 1‐month following the completion of their radiotherapy. CONDITION: Anxiety (including Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) in Head and Neck Cancer. Depression in Head and Neck Cancer. PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) to assess cancer‐related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 2. Beck Depression Inventory ‐ second edition (BDI‐II) to assess depressive symptoms 3. State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐Y) to assess trait and situational anxiety levels. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACIT) to assess multiple dimensions of quality of life including head and neck cancer symptoms 2. Brief COPE (actual full name) to assess cognitive and behavioural coping strategies 3. Treatment Credibility Scale to assess individuals' beliefs about treatment efficacy contingent on the intervention they have been randomized to receive (i.e., CBT or SC). INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) First onset Stage I, II, or III HNC with minimum 12‐month prognosis; (2) scheduled to receive primary or adjuvant radiotherapy; (3) meeting criteria for cancer‐related PTSD or other anxiety disorders according to DSM‐IV AND/OR meeting criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) within 6‐weeks post‐cancer diagnosis; (4) able to speak, read and write basic English; (5) medically fit to respond to the assessment and intervention procedure.