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Purpose Patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer (HNC) often have long-term, functional challenges as a result of treatment. A key functional challenge relates to eating and drinking; often associated with physical, emotional, and social difficulties. Eating and drinking with family members and friends can become a struggle, increasing the risk of social isolation and loneliness. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesise the literature on the experiences of social eating and drinking for patients following treatment for HNC. Methods Six electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Scopus) were systematically searched using subject headings and free-text word searches in February 2020. Citation chaining and Google Scholar were used to identify grey literature. PRISMA procedures were followed. Results Of 6910 records identified, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Synthesis of the research findings results in two major themes: (1) the experience of loss associated with social eating and drinking, and (2) adjusting and support to promote social eating and drinking. Conclusion Losses associated with social eating affect a patient’s psychological and emotional well-being and impact on close relationships. To promote positive participation in social eating, patients were more likely to seek and receive support from someone within their close social network, rather than a healthcare professional. Family and friends are an essential source of support and are integral in facilitating engagement with social eating following treatment for HNC. Future interventions should promote family orientated resources, incorporating self-management strategies.

Purpose Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) describe eating as more than a physical activity for nutrition and calories. After treatment for HNC, patients report a changed social experience around food, with eating and drinking in front of family and friends depicted as a challenge. However, there is limited research exploring how patients with HNC adapt and cope with social eating difficulties. This study aims to explore patients’ experiences and perceptions of social eating and drinking following treatment for HNC. Methods A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was employed to understand the experiences of social eating of patients living with and beyond HNC. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to inductively develop key themes from the data. Results Fourteen interviews were conducted with patients, and two key themes were identified: (1) “Social eating became a conscious process” and (2) “Strategies to maximise social eating participation”. To maximise social eating enjoyment, patients attempted to minimise the attention on their eating function and the fuss created around food. Patients with HNC established psychological and cognitive adaptations to manage expectations and promote positive participation in social eating. Conclusion This paper identifies key barriers limiting or diminishing social eating for patients with HNC; including being self-conscious, lack of understanding from others and functional issues with eating and drinking. This research highlights the need to raise awareness of social eating challenges and for the social dimensions of eating to be addressed through family-centred, supportive holistic interventions implemented early in the patient’s cancer journey.

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