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ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2025

Social functioning of people with head and neck cancer after treatment: A qualitative study.

Yi-Hung Lai, Chen-Chi Wang, Li-Yun Tsai, Mei-Hsiang Lin, Yu-Shu Chou, Hung-Ru Lin

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Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 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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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yi-Hung LaiSchool of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, No. 365, Ming-Te Rd, Taipei, 112303, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chen-Chi WangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, No. 1650, Sec. 4, Taiwan Blvd., Xitun Dist, Taichung, 407219, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Li-Yun TsaiCollege of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 666, Buzi Rd., Beitun Dist, Taichung, 406053, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Mei-Hsiang LinSchool of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, No. 365, Ming-Te Rd, Taipei, 112303, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Yu-Shu ChouDepartment of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, No. 1650, Sec. 4, Taiwan Blvd., Xitun Dist, Taichung, 407219, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Hung-Ru LinSchool of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, No. 365, Ming-Te Rd, Taipei, 112303, Taiwan, Republic of China. hungru@ntunhs.edu.tw.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePeople with head and neck cancer face changes in appearance, difficulties swallowing, and communication challenges, which can limit their social functioning and impact interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and work performance. The literature on how post-treatment changes affect social functioning remains limited. This study aims to explore the social functioning experiences of people with head and neck cancer after treatment.

methodA qualitative research design with purposive sampling was employed to recruit head and neck cancer patients from a medical center in central Taiwan. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guides. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis.

resultsTwenty participants were recruited, with treatment completion ranging from 10 months to 8 years and 9 months prior. Five themes were identified: (1) influence on willingness to participate in society, (2) interpersonal relationships and interaction, (3) giving back to society, (4) taking care of oneself, and (5) challenges in maintaining employment.

conclusionsPost-treatment adjustments in behavior and communication are necessary for social reintegration. Treatment-related changes reduce patients' willingness to participate socially, but community involvement and personal adjustments help rebuild self-worth. Tailored support programs are recommended.

Indexed as

Head and Neck NeoplasmsAdultAgedCommunicationEmploymentFemaleHumansInterpersonal RelationsInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchSelf ConceptSocial InteractionTaiwanHead and neck cancerQualitative studySocial functioning

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.