Thesis abstract:

«p»Head and neck cancers include cancer of the lips, mouth, pharynx (including the nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx), larynx, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and skin, soft tissues and bones of the head and neck. Annually the worldwide incidence of head and neck cancer is more than 55,000 cases with around 300,000 deaths each year. In 2017 in Australia, head and neck cancer was the 7th most commonly diagnosed cancer. The diagnosis and treatments of head and neck cancer affect not only the patient but can also impact significantly on their caregivers. Patients with head and neck require a considerable amount of care and support which can be both physically and psychosocially challenging for their family members. It is, therefore, essential to understand the experience of caring for someone with head and neck cancer and to identify the support needs from an informal caregiver's perspective. In Australia, little is currently known about the support needs of these caregivers. This qualitative study aims to explore the experience of caring for patients with head and neck cancer. It is anticipated that the study findings will assist healthcare professionals and policymakers to develop strategies aimed at meeting the support needs of informal carers of patients with head and neck cancers, which may potentially lead to better patient outcomes.«/p»