Sunderland Royal Hospital, South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2024 Oct;72:102682. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102682. Epub 2024 Aug 5.
People living with head and neck cancer (HNC) often endure permanent and life changing adverse effects of treatment and reduced health-related quality of life. Study of post-traumatic growth (PTG), is gaining traction to understand why some people living with cancer have better psychosocial outcomes than others. Current theoretical models on PTG point to the importance of 'socio-cultural influences' but do not provide insight into how such socio-cultural factors influence survivorship outcomes. This research aimed to illuminate pathways to PTG following HNC by exploring socio-cultural factors in experiences of living with, and moving on from, HNC.
Semi-structured interviews with people living with HNC (up to 5 years post-treatment) on experiences of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Qualitative framework analysis using the environmental factors codes from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) HNC core set.
20 people living with HNC were interviewed (11 male, 9 female; aged 46-83 years). Four inter-related themes described socio-cultural factors that influence (positively and/or negatively) the experience of living with HNC: (1) people and places; (2) healthcare systems and support services; (3) societal attitudes to cancer; (4) work and finances.
Support from family, friends and healthcare professionals, as well as societal attitudes, financial and work security and personal experiences all appear to contribute to an individuals' ability to navigate the HNC experience. These findings could inform development of interventions targeting the socio-cultural factors in the lives of people living with HNC, particularly for those at risk for poorer psycho-social outcomes.
患有头颈部癌症（HNC）的人经常会经历治疗带来的永久性和改变生活的不良反应，以及健康相关生活质量的下降。对创伤后成长（PTG）的研究越来越多，以了解为什么一些患有癌症的人比其他人有更好的心理社会结局。目前关于 PTG 的理论模型指出了“社会文化影响”的重要性，但没有深入了解这些社会文化因素如何影响生存结果。本研究旨在通过探索与 HNC 共存和从中恢复的经历中的社会文化因素，阐明 HNC 后 PTG 的途径。
对 20 名 HNC 患者（治疗后最多 5 年）进行了半结构化访谈，内容涉及诊断、治疗和康复经历。使用国际功能、残疾和健康分类（ICF）HNC 核心组的环境因素代码对定性框架分析。
共采访了 20 名 HNC 患者（11 名男性，9 名女性；年龄 46-83 岁）。四个相互关联的主题描述了影响（积极和/或消极）与 HNC 共存的体验的社会文化因素：（1）人与地方；（2）医疗保健系统和支持服务；（3）社会对癌症的态度；（4）工作和财务。
来自家人、朋友和医疗保健专业人员的支持，以及社会态度、财务和工作保障以及个人经历，似乎都有助于个人应对 HNC 经历。这些发现可以为针对 HNC 患者生活中的社会文化因素的干预措施的发展提供信息，特别是对于那些面临较差心理社会结局风险的患者。
