“Kindai yoorod” (eating to survive) Experiences of food consumption among ovarian cancer patients receiving Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Chemotherapy : A phenomenological study
Keywords:
nutritional care, consumption, chemotherapy, experience, ovarian cancerAbstract
Ovarian cancer is a common cancer among women. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer often causes side effects that affect patients’ nutritional status. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the food consumption experiences of ovarian cancer patients who received Paclitaxel and Carboplatin chemotherapy at Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Nakhon Nayok Province, and had completed their treatment plan. Data was gathered from 9 participants through in-depth interviews, observation, and field notes. Thematic analysis was conducted based on their narratives and lived experiences.
The findings revealed that patients described their food consumption experiences during chemotherapy with the themes: 1) Kindai (ability to eat) referred to the actual ability to consume food effectively. This included selecting and eating foods appropriate to their body under the limitations caused by chemotherapy side effects. It encompassed survival-oriented eating, mindful eating, and culturally rooted eating. 2) Yoorod (Survival) reflected the dietary behaviors that enabled them to stay alive amidst the side effects of chemotherapy through physically adaptation, mental and emotional reliance, entrusting their bodies, and food from home.
The key finding from the food consumption experiences of ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is summarized as Kindai Yoorod (Eating to Survive) This suggests the need to develop nutritional care that aligns with patients’ real-life experiences, emphasizing their ability to consume food within the context of their individual backgrounds. Nutritional care guidelines should be designed to create continuity from hospital to home through community health systems. Practical and participatory approaches to nutritional care should be developed in collaboration with patients, families, and healthcare teams. In addition, there is a need to research and develop personalized nutritional supplement products appropriate for individual patient needs. Case studies are also recommended to gain deeper and more diverse insights for establishing more comprehensive care strategies.
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