| Summary: | A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Science, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in Nursing.
Johannesburg, 2018. === Background: Head and neck cancer is the collective name for cancers that affect the lips,
oral cavity, nasal cavity, para-nasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx and parotid glands. South
Africa, as one of the developing countries, is highly affected by the head and neck cancer
due to lifestyle causes such as smoking and alcohol use. Patients with head and neck cancer
experience more problems and severe symptoms as a result of the diagnosis and treatment
as compared to patients diagnosed with other types of cancer. This is due to the fact that
head and neck cancer affects critical parts of the body which are important for nutrition,
breathing and communication. Despite the severe consequences of the disease, little is
known about the experiences of patients living with this disease in South Africa.
Aim of the study: The study aimed to describe the experiences of patients living with head
and neck cancer treated at an academic hospital in Gauteng.
Design and Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was used. The accessible population
comprised all head and neck cancer patients treated at the study setting. Purposive sampling
was used to select the sample and the sample size was informed by data saturation. The
inclusion criteria were 18 years and older, ability to speak basic English and willingness to
participate. General information was gathered using a demographic data sheet and in-depth
interviews were conducted to gather the data. The data were analysed by means of
qualitative content analysis.
Findings: Eighteen people (n=18), of which more than half were males (14 of 18), took part
in the study. The participants were from four major population groups, with the majority from
the black population (13 of 18). Their ages ranged from 26 to 73, with an average age of 50.8
years. Five subthemes arose from the data: the emotional effects of the head and neck
cancer, the physical consequences of the disease and treatment, the socioeconomic
implications of the disease and treatment, the importance of psychosocial support and the
importance of hope and spirituality which were categorised into two themes: living with the
consequences of the disease and treatment and coping with the changed life.
Conclusion: Living with cancer of the head and neck is not easy. The lives the participants
knew before they became sick changed and became a living hell. They had to live the effects
of the disease and treatment, which had a devastating effect on their financial burden. Eating
became a major challenge and some of the participants struggled to communicate, whilst
others had to live with facial disfigurement. Some were ridiculed and some isolated
themselves from social contact. However, receiving support from family and friends and their
faith in God assisted them to live this changed life. === LG2018
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