Abstract
Head & Neck Cancer (HNC) survivors encounter unique challenges following treatment. This study aimed to identify self-management strategies that HNC survivors use to overcome these post-treatment challenges.
MethodsTwenty-seven individuals from four designated cancer centres in Ireland were interviewed about self-management strategies that helped them overcome challenges following HNC treatment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using directed content analysis.
ResultsTwenty self-management strategy types (encompassing 77 specific strategies) were identified. The most frequently used self-management strategy types were Self-sustaining (used by 26 survivors), Self-motivating (n = 25) and Proactive problem solving (n = 25). The most frequently used specific strategies were adaptive approaches to ongoing physical consequences of HNC and its treatment (n = 24), customizing dietary practices (n = 24) and maintaining a positive outlook (n = 22).
ConclusionsThe study identified strategies that helped HNC survivors to self-manage post-treatment challenges. This information could inform the design/development of self-management interventions tailored towards HNC survivors.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2194-3000 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Psycho-Oncology |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Early online date | 26 May 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2017 |
Keywords
- Head and neck cancer
- Cancer survival
- Self-management
- Psychological intervention development
- Qualitative
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted author manuscript)
This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Wiley at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pon.4447/abstract?. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.