In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS, and Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C about providing optimal psychosocial support for this patient population.
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Advancements in treatment combined with a multimodal approach are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer. However, the unique challenges of a head and neck cancer diagnosis and its treatment side effects—such as speech and communication difficulties as well as negative effects on body image and self-esteem—can significantly impact a patient’s mental health. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS, clinical oncology social worker at UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, clinical oncology social worker at David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital, about providing optimal psychosocial support for this patient population.
“Ask your patients ‘what is most valuable to you, what gets you up in the morning…what do you draw strength from?’ If we can tap into what is essential for them to be happy in life, [we can] try to problem solve and build skills in them so that they can counter some of the issues that they'll experience because of their treatment.”–Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS
“What we want is the patients at the center, and we want to build out a team around them so that they have as much support as possible, and that the energy is coming into the patient versus the patient trying to find these things [psychosocial care, dieticians, speech and language pathologists, oncology social workers].” –Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Guest:
Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, OSW-C, CTTS
Clinical Oncology Social Worker, Head and Neck Surgery
UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dallas, TX
Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Clinical Oncology Social Worker
David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital
San Diego, CA
This episode, developed in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Care, was made possible with support by EMD Serono.
Additional Reading/Sources
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
June 30, 2026
