Quality of life of the patients treated with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Executive Summary Title: “Quality of life of the patients treated with head and neck cancer”. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the quality of life of the patients treated with head and neck cancer. Method: Considering the aim and objectives of the study investigator used cross sectional design. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) questionnaire was used as data collection tool in this study. Data was collected from 15 participants from National Institute of Cancer Research Hospital, Dhaka. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistical analysis method. Result: Investigator found that majority of the participants had severe pain in mouth and throat (33%), dryness of mouth (40%), loss of energy (33%), inability to work (33%) and worry about the side effect of HNC treatment (47%). Severe voice problem (40%), moderate to severe communication difficulty (67%), severe swallowing (33%) and eating (33%) difficulty was most important issue identified from the participants. Conclusion: The research finding shows that inability of communication, voice problem, pain and dryness of the mouth, swallowing difficulty, loss of energy and inability to work was identified as catalyst which impact on physical, emotional, functional and social wellbeing of patients treated with HNC. All of these concerns make an individual QOL poor.