Patients’ experience of receiving radiation treatment for head and neck cancer: Before, during and after treatment

Abstract

Most research to date in the area of head and neck cancer has focused on the efficacy of treatment modalities and the assessment and management of treatment side effects and toxicities. Little or no attention has been directed toward understanding patients’ experience of receiving radiation treatment for the management of their cancer. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of individuals receiving radiation treatment for a cancer of the head and neck. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 17 individuals. Thorne’s (1997) approach of interpretive description along with Giorgi’s analytical technique for analysis were used. Experiences across interviews revealed five main themes: 1) making sense of the diagnosis, 2) distress from disrupted expectations, 3) heightened awareness of self, others and the health care system, 4) strategies to ‘get through’ treatment, and 5) living with uncertainty. Findings from the study have contributed to the development of head and neck cancer-specific patient support and education programs for patients and families.