Eating problems in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy : Needs, problems and support during the trajectory of care

Abstract: Head and neck cancer is a physically and emotionally devastating disease. These cancer forms have a profound impact on the most fundamental activities of the patients' daily life such as the ability to speak, breath, eat and drink, and socialize. Even though treatment of head and neck cancer differs worldwide, the majority of patients are treated with radiotherapy or surgery, either as single modality or in combination. Sometimes brachytherapy or chemotherapy are given as well. Therefore, multidisciplinary care is needed that requires coordinated interventions of several different health care professionals during the trajectory of care. There is a lack of studies exploring the occurrence of eating problems in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy, and these patients' nutritional situation over a longer period of time, from diagnosis, during treatment, and throughout the rehabilitation period. Furthermore, few studies have focused on these patients' own experiences of having eating problems and few studies identify adequate nursing interventions to deal with these problems during the trajectory of care. This thesis is an attempt to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of these patients' experiences, situation and needs in daily life regarding these issues during the whole trajectory of care. I hope that the findings of this thesis will contribute to the development of a high quality of care for this vulnerable group of patients