Table 1.
Summary characteristics of sample
| Characteristic | Sample (n = 13) |
|---|---|
| Age n (mean) | |
| 60 years and over | 4 (63) |
| Under 60 years | 9 (50) |
| Gender | |
| Male | 9 |
| Female | 4 |
| Treatment | |
| Surgery and chemo-radiation therapy | 4 |
| Chemo-radiation therapy | 5 |
| Surgery and chemotherapy | 1 |
| Radiation therapy | 3 |
| Swallowing status at time of interview: | |
| Performance status scale (PSS) | |
| 50 and over (soft diet and better) | 9 |
| Under 50 (liquids, puree, NBM) | 4 |
| Time since treatment | |
| 3–6 months | 6 |
| 6–12 months | 3 |
| 12–18 months | 3 |
| Beyond 18 months | 1 |
| Gastrostomy tube during treatment | |
| Yes | 11 |
| No | 2 |
| Still in situ at time of interview | 6 |
| Marital status | |
| Married/co-habiting | 8 |
| Single/separated | 5 |
| Occupational category | |
| Graduate professional | 2 |
| Manager/director | 2 |
| Caring/leisure/service industry | 2 |
| Professional/technical | 1 |
| Skilled trade | 2 |
| Admin/secretarial | 1 |
| Retired/not employed | 3 |