ArticleBMC women's health2025
"Women's experiences of head and neck cancer: an interpretative phenomenological analysis".
Article in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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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
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- A Qualitative Study of Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer in the United States.Oncology and therapy · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeHead and neck cancers (HNCs) are predominantly studied in men. This study aimed to explore women's experiences of HNC.
methodsThe study was based on the secondary analysis of interviews conducted by using the life story methodology with patients who underwent surgery for HNC. We selected seven particularly rich interviews regarding the experience of cancer and first conducted a thematic analysis to identify key patterns in the data. We then applied interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore in depth how participants made sense of their experiences.
resultsKey themes were identified across different phases of the illness journey, including diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment, recurrence, and future projection. A major challenge was diagnostic wandering, as many women did not fit the typical head and neck cancer (HNC) profile-typically a man who consumes alcohol and tobacco. Identity loss was a central issue, with themes of reclaiming one's body post-surgery and the loss of feminine symbolism (infertility, hair loss, self-recognition). Coping strategies varied: some sought social support and aimed to return to work, while others viewed surgery as essential for recovery.
conclusionThese findings highlight the need for personalized support tailored to women's specific needs and challenges. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This study emphasize the importance of providing personalized support that closely aligns with the needs of female head and neck cancer survivors. It is crucial to consider their subjectivity, recognizing that each experience is unique, to better assist them in overcoming adversity. Tailoring care to their individual realities will more effectively address their emotional and physical difficulties.
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