ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2022
"My life's not my own": A qualitative study into the expectations of head and neck cancer carers.
Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.
- Evidence-based guideline diagnosis, treatment, prevention and aftercare of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.German medical science : GMS e-journal · 2025Guideline
- Reach and efficacy of the eHealth application Oncokompas, facilitating partners of incurably ill cancer patients to self-manage their caregiver needs: a randomized controlled trial.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Trial
- "The Day He Fell Ill, We Turned on a Switch…Now, Everything Is My Responsibility": Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies Among Partners of Patients with Cancer.Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2026Review
- How do patients with head and neck cancer and low skeletal muscle mass experience cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy? A qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024Article
- [Weight, nutrition, quality of life-Perspective of oncological patients].Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2023Review
- "It's part of our life now": a qualitative exploration of the social eating experiences of family members of patients living with head and neck cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Article
- "It's part of our life now": a qualitative exploration of the social eating experiences of family members of patients living with head and neck cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionCancers that originate from the upper aerodigestive tract are collectively known as head and neck cancer. The most common are squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, larynx, and oral cavity. Head and neck cancer patients experience significant physical and psychological changes because of the disease and treatment. There is a substantial strain on family carers who have extensive responsibilities over most aspects of the patient's life. The aim of the study was to understand the perspectives of being an HNC carer and their perceived expectations of the role.
methodsThe study adopted a qualitative research design with a social constructionist epistemology. Interviews were conducted with 20 carers who were currently caring for someone diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
resultsThree overarching themes were identified: taking responsibility for the patient's nutrition, navigating a new and different relationship, and "my life's not my own." Participants felt responsible for ensuring the patient was eating and became increasingly frustrated when the patient was unable to intake food. Carers prioritised the patients' needs at the expense of their own, and several came to resent the role.
conclusionCarers' expectations of their role informed how they approached giving care. Carers need to be supported from diagnosis and encouraged to prioritise their own wellbeing.
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