“No… Nobody told me anything about that”: a qualitative study on pretreatment knowledge of individuals with lung or head and neck cancer regarding the disease, treatments, and physical exercise
- 1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Technology & Science (FCT/UNESP), São Paulo State University, Roberto Simonsen Street, 305, Centro Educacional, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19060-900 Brazil
- 2Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA Australia
- 3Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, WA Australia
Abstract
Purpose: Lung and head and neck cancers have high incidence, substantial symptom burden, and marked functional decline related to both the disease and its treatments. Although physical exercise is recognized as an adjuvant strategy that mitigates treatment-related adverse effects, patients’ understanding of their diagnosis, therapeutic plan, and the role of exercise may affect their engagement and adherence. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge of individuals with primary lung or head and neck cancer, prior to treatment initiation, regarding the disease, prescribed therapies, anticipated symptoms, and the role of physical exercise as an adjunct intervention.
Methods: This qualitative study included individuals with primary lung or head and neck cancer. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews conducted up to 1 week before treatment initiation, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data collection continued until thematic saturation, and analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis approach.
Results: A total of 14 individuals were interviewed (age, 66 [53–70] years; head and neck cancer, 8 (57%); males, 10 (71%)). Five overarching themes and 13 subthemes were identified from the data: (1) general knowledge; (2) expectations during the cancer treatment; (3) perceptions about physical exercise in cancer; (4) third-party support; and (5) context of the diagnosis.
Conclusion: Individuals with lung or head and neck cancer, prior to treatment initiation, show limited knowledge about their disease, prescribed therapies, expected symptoms, and the role of physical exercise. Although participants had minimal understanding of what exercise programs entail, they expressed willingness to participate if recommended.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11407-1.
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BibTeX
@article{duarte2026nobody,
title = {{“No… Nobody told me anything about that”: a qualitative study on pretreatment knowledge of individuals with lung or head and neck cancer regarding the disease, treatments, and physical exercise}},
author = {Isabela Duarte and Karina Arielle da Silva Souza and Alice Haniuda Moliterno and Paloma Borges and Matheus Pedroso and Isis Grigoletto and Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos},
journal = {Supportive Care in Cancer},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s00520-026-11407-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11407-1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - “No… Nobody told me anything about that”: a qualitative study on pretreatment knowledge of individuals with lung or head and neck cancer regarding the disease, treatments, and physical exercise
AU - Isabela Duarte
AU - Karina Arielle da Silva Souza
AU - Alice Haniuda Moliterno
AU - Paloma Borges
AU - Matheus Pedroso
AU - Isis Grigoletto
AU - Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
DO - 10.1007/s00520-026-11407-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11407-1
AB - Purpose: Lung and head and neck cancers have high incidence, substantial symptom burden, and marked functional decline related to both the disease and its treatments. Although physical exercise is recognized as an adjuvant strategy that mitigates treatment-related adverse effects, patients’ understanding of their diagnosis, therapeutic plan, and the role of exercise may affect their engagement and adherence. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge of individuals with primary lung or head and neck cancer, prior to treatment initiation, regarding the disease, prescribed therapies, anticipated symptoms, and the role of physical exercise as an adjunct intervention. Methods: This qualitative study included individuals with primary lung or head and neck cancer. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews conducted up to 1 week before treatment initiation, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data collection continued until thematic saturation, and analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis approach. Results: A total of 14 individuals were interviewed (age, 66 [53–70] years; head and neck cancer, 8 (57%); males, 10 (71%)). Five overarching themes and 13 subthemes were identified from the data: (1) general knowledge; (2) expectations during the cancer treatment; (3) perceptions about physical exercise in cancer; (4) third-party support; and (5) context of the diagnosis. Conclusion: Individuals with lung or head and neck cancer, prior to treatment initiation, show limited knowledge about their disease, prescribed therapies, expected symptoms, and the role of physical exercise. Although participants had minimal understanding of what exercise programs entail, they expressed willingness to participate if recommended. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11407-1.
SN - 0941-4355
SN - 1433-7339
ER -