Impact of Educational Guidelines on Radiotherapy Side Effects and Lifestyle in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

Abstract

Introduction: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer globally, with treatment often involving radiotherapy, which can significantly affect patients' quality of life and lifestyle. Patient education is crucial in managing the side effects of radiotherapy and improving outcomes.

Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of implementing educational guidelines on radiotherapy side effects on the lifestyle and quality of life of patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Method: A one-group pre- and posttest quasiexperimental design was utilized for this study, which was conducted at the radiation therapy outpatient clinic and the Clinical Oncology Department. A purposive sampling method was used to select 100 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer who were undergoing radiotherapy. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire that captured patient characteristics, medical history, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, and the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire.

Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in both the quality of life and lifestyle of the patients after the intervention. Nearly two-thirds of patients had a low quality of life preintervention, which reduced to one-fifth postintervention (p < .05). Lifestyle improvements were also observed across all domains, with significant increases in physical activity, nutrition, and stress management.

Conclusion: The study concluded that implementing educational guidelines on radiotherapy side effects can significantly enhance the lifestyle and quality of life of patients with advanced head and neck cancer. However, the study's limitations, including the lack of a control group and reliance on self-reported data, suggest the need for further research with more robust designs.