The lived experience of the primary family caregiver for a person with head and neck cancer

Family caregivers are crucial persons in the successful rehabilitation of persons with head and neck cancer, as they are often providing needed physical and emotional care that these persons will require. Caregiving for a person with head and neck cancer is an experience that touches upon many potential physical, emotional, social and economic issues. The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the lived experience of primary family caregivers for persons with head and neck cancer. A qualitative, phenomenological study using van Manen's human science approach was conducted.