Cancer generated facial disfigurement: Ethnicity, culture and social challenges

The face is one of the most important elements defining social interaction. Once the normal appearance of the face is altered, individuals encounter significant social problems. This is a situation that involves the facially disfigured but also those who interact with them. Due to medical advancements, patients who are facially disfigured because of cancer, related surgical procedures, and other treatments can now survive for an extended period of time. This survivorship is often accompanied with stigmatization as cancer survivors are viewed, and treated, differently because of their altered facial appearance. Despite its growing importance, the theme of the social consequences of cancer generated facial disfigurement has received limited scientific attention. Research tends to focus on patients' functional limitations and the manner in which they cope with their disfigurement. Less attention is placed on the social dimension of cancer generated facial disfigurement. In particular, limited research is available on the ways in which different social settings and groups affect the interaction of cancer patients who are facially disfigured. In this chapter, current research on these topics is reviewed underscoring findings in interaction patterns and outcomes. It is indicated that cultural and ethnic variations affect collective perceptions of, and responses to, cancer and disfigurement. The chapter concludes by stressing the importance of including cultural and ethnic components in the study of cancer generated facial disfigurement, the training of professionals, and development of pertinent protocols.