Abstract:

'I7te purpose oJ his stıttly was to describe the patients perspective on eating probletns during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and to identify strategies used by patients to improvefood intalce. A descriptive survey researclt design was used on a sample of forty patients with hem, and neck cancer who were admitted Radiation Oncology Department. University of Egean Aledical Family Hospital betweeıl 13 Mal -18 August 1996. Patients ranged from 14 to 70 years of age. The interview form ıvas used in the study. 771e questions were about clemogrofic stalus and eating problems and ealing strategies. Researcher interviewed with cadı patient before radiotherapy and once a ıveek throughout their radiotherapy. Most of the patients noted many eating problems. These were. taste changes 92.5 % . swallowing 85.0 96 . smell changes 77.5 % . Eating strategies described by patients ıvere changing of food texture 80.0 % and persisting in trying to eat 67.2 % . 77te ot her problems were: being unable to eat 76.6 % , and to laik 68.4 96

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