Lived experiences of eating problems for patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy

Only a small proportion of cancer patients undergo radical radiotherapy to the head and neck, but their needs are particularly complex. Although extensive research describes the side-effects of radiotherapy to the head and neck, few studies focus on patients' subjective experiences of eating problems and the impact these have on the patients' daily life. In this study a phenomenological approach was used, as the purpose was to acquire deeper understanding of head and neck cancer patients' lived experiences of eating problems, their consequences in daily life and patients' strategies of coping with these problems. Eight patients from two radiation therapy departments in mid-Sweden were interviewed in an open dialogue. Data analysis was based on Colaizzi's method. Eating problems experienced were captured in two interrelated main themes: 'Ability to chew and swallow' and 'Will and desire to eat'. The eating problems were found to cause a number of severe consequences in daily life. These are incorporated into one main theme: 'The way of life is disturbed'. Ways to cope with this disturbance were captured in one main theme: 'Trying to see the end - To survive'. This study identifies the need to view eating problems as a complex phenomenon in a specific context including the individual patient's life situation. The findings create the opportunity to develop nursing interventions based on patients' own needs. To facilitate this, a specialist nurse should be responsible for reviewing patients regularly throughout radiation therapy. Intervention studies are needed to provide optimal clinical guidelines.