Eating strategies used by persons with head and neck cancer during and after radiotherapy.

This descriptive study identified the patient's perspective on eating problems during and after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and pinpointed strategies used by patients to improve food intake during treatment. Eleven subjects were interviewed during a follow-up clinic appointment within 6 months of completion of radiotherapy and were asked to describe treatment problems and eating strategies. Open-ended interviews were tape-recorded and analyzed for recurring themes. A review of the medical records of each subject distinguished parameters of nutritional status during treatment. Eating strategies were clustered into three categories: food choice and preparation, attitude adoption, and acceptance of assistance. Subjects responded to treatment problems with specific eating strategies, implying relationships among treatment side effects, symptom management, and eating strategies.