The Significance of “Eating” for Terminal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of “eating” for terminal cancer patients.

Research Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with terminal cancer patients admitted to the palliative care unit in prefecture A. Patients were analyzed using the Krippendorff content analysis method from Krippendorff.

Result: The subjects were 10 people between 40 and 80 years old. Their scale of performance statuses were PS1 to PS3. All subjects had food intolerance symptoms. Seven core categories were formed to support the significance of “eating”: “Eating is a natural activity for all humans”, “Eating brings happiness”, “Eating deepens family ties”, “I want to eat whatever delicious food I want”, “I want to continue eating to survive”, “I feel distressed that I cannot eat” and “I know that my life is limited and accept that I can no longer eat”.

Discussion: It is thought that terminal-stage cancer patients reinterpret “eating” as a natural activity from the standpoint of people and consumers, and that while they struggle with the meaning of “eating” as “living” and “enjoying” and with their inability to eat, they accept their inability to eat, which allows them to prepare for death.

Conclusion: It was suggested that support for eating according to their significance of “eating” may lead to the improvement of the patient’s spiritual care.