Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Dec 31;13(1):100.
doi: 10.3390/cancers13010100.

Perspectives of Esophageal Cancer Survivors on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Annemarie E Bennett  1 , Linda O'Neill  2 , Deirdre Connolly  3 , Emer Guinan  4 , Lauren Boland  3 , Suzanne Doyle  5 , Jacintha O'Sullivan  6 , John V Reynolds  7 , Juliette Hussey  2
Affiliations

Perspectives of Esophageal Cancer Survivors on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Annemarie E Bennett et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Esophageal cancer poses challenges to all domains of wellbeing. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of esophageal cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, with a view to informing the health education needs of this group. Eighteen persons who had undergone an esophagectomy participated in one of four audio-taped focus groups in a specialist hospital for cancer care. Transcriptions were analyzed thematically. Fear and uncertainty underpinned all stages of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Participants emphasized: (a) a lack of understanding over what to expect throughout treatment and recovery; (b) the demanding and traumatic period of adjustment required as a result of changes to their physical, psychological, and social functioning; and, (c) that support provided by family, friends, and acquaintances was variable and uninformed, often to the point of being counterproductive to physical and psychosocial recovery. Tailored education is needed to enable patients to prepare for each stage of their cancer journey. Equally, families and wider social networks should receive education that enables them to provide esophageal cancer survivors with appropriate support. Education should be provided at intervals that enable patients, survivors, and support networks to prepare for the physical, emotional, and social challenges experienced during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Keywords: cancer diagnosis; cancer treatment; education needs; esophageal cancer; patient education; qualitative; rehabilitation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

References

    1. Guinan E.M., Dowds J., Donohoe C., Reynolds J.V., Hussey J. The physiotherapist and the esophageal cancer patient: From prehabilitation to rehabilitation. Dis. Esophagus. 2017;30:1–12. doi: 10.1111/dote.12514. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Low D.E., Alderson D., Cecconello I., Chang A.C., Darling G.E., D’Journo X.B., Griffin S.M., Holscher A.H., Hofstetter W.L., Jobe B.A., et al. International Consensus on Standardization of Data Collection for Complications Associated With Esophagectomy: Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) Ann. Surg. 2015;262:286–294. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001098. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Malmstrom M., Ivarsson B., Johansson J., Klefsgard R. Long-term experiences after oesophagectomy/gastrectomy for cancer--a focus group study. Int. J. Nurs. Stud. 2013;50:44–52. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.08.011. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Elliott J.A., Doyle S.L., Murphy C.F., King S., Guinan E.M., Beddy P., Ravi N., Reynolds J.V. Sarcopenia: Prevalence, and Impact on Operative and Oncologic Outcomes in the Multimodal Management of Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer. Ann. Surg. 2017 doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002398. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Guinan E.M., Doyle S.L., Bennett A.E., O’Neill L., Gannon J., Elliott J.A., O’Sullivan J., Reynolds J.V., Hussey J. Sarcopenia during neoadjuvant therapy for oesophageal cancer: Characterising the impact on muscle strength and physical performance. Supportive Care Cancer. 2018;26:1569–1576. doi: 10.1007/s00520-017-3993-0. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources