The uncanny mouth - a phenomenological approach to oral cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective qualitative study was to describe how patients with oral cancer experience their sickness and treatment. METHODS: A purposeful sample of seven patients with oral cancer was interviewed. Data were analysed using a phenomenological approach outlined by van Manen. RESULTS: The essence of the patients' experiences can be described as embodiment in a mouth that has become unreal, or 'uncanny'. At treatment start the body is invaded by cancer, during treatment there is no escape from a wounded mouth, at treatment end the mouth is disabled. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that oral cancer patients' need for support may increase as treatment progresses and may be greatest at end of radiotherapy, as they return home with mouths that have not recovered after treatment and do not function normally. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This suggests the importance of understanding the patients' situation during treatment and their desire for a return to normal living and normal mouth functions at treatment end. If possible, plans for oral rehabilitation should be considered in initial treatment planning. As the treatment of oral cancer is multiprofessional, this knowledge may be useful in guiding the organization of oral cancer care and multiprofessional collaboration.