The assesment of functional status and social support in individuals who had head and neck cancer

This study has been performed as descriptive to designate the functional status and social support in individual?s who had head and neck cancer.This research has been data in Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtarslan Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, was done from 145 patients applied to medical oncology and radiation oncology. Data were collected by using Functional Living İndex-Cancer, Cancer Patients Social Support Scale, introductory features form from which is developed by the researcher.The average functional living ındex - cancer has been found low (88.24±19.8) the average cancer patient social support scale score was good(132.27±14.8). The factor that influenced functional status were(p<0.05) gender, marital status, , residental area, monthly income ,status information, diagnosis period, stage, treatment, undergoing surgery, the last date of surgery, chronic illness, coping level and the factor that influenced social support were gender, age, marital status, education, residental area, , monthly income, taking care of a person, status information, diagnosis period, stage, treatment, chronic illness, undergoing surgery, the last date of surgery , coping level(p<0.05). Each subscale of the functional living ındex- cancer was associated with each subscale of cancer patient social support scale and the statistical corelation was significant(p<0.01).According to the finding of the study social support contributes to better functional status of head and neck cancer patients. Propositions have been made in line with the results of the study.Key words: Head and neck cancer, functional status, social support, nursing, education.