Oral cancer and family life: How to adjust family roles and daily interactions?

The treatment of oral cancer not only poses enormous physical and psychological challenges to the patient, but also has a profound impact on the way of life of the family as a whole and on relationships among its members. During treatment, patients need more care and support, including not only medical needs, but also emotional comfort and daily assistance. Family members may need to take on additional responsibilities, such as caring for the patient, preparing food and handling daily chores. In addition, patients may experience physical changes in their treatment, such as post-operative scars, lack of teeth, which affect not only the self-confidence and emotions of the patients themselves, but also the emotional and interactive way in which family members interact.In such cases, the understanding, support and cooperation of family members becomes particularly important. Families should maintain open communication with patients, understand their emotional changes and provide adequate psychological support. This may mean that family members need to learn how to listen to patients ‘ fears and fears and how to provide comfort and encouragement. At the same time, family members can take an active part in the rehabilitation of patients, helping them to adjust their diets, arrange rehabilitation activities, etc., and reduce their loneliness and anxiety.The fine-tuning of family life is also essential. In terms of diet, for example, families can prepare soft or fluid foods that are easy to swallow, based on the needs of the patient, and avoid overspicious or irritating foods to reduce oral irritation and discomfort. In addition, family members can learn how to prepare their patients for nutritionally balanced meals to help them recover physical strength and immunity. In day-to-day interactions, family members can adopt a more moderate way of communicating, avoiding discomfort or embarrassment to patients and creating, as far as possible, a harmonious and comfortable family environment.The adaptation of family roles is also an integral part of the treatment. Family members may need to redistribute household duties and care responsibilities to ensure that the patient is adequately cared for, while other family members are not pressured by overwork. This may require a frank dialogue between family members, a discussion of their respective capacities and constraints, and a joint formulation of a viable plan. Mutual understanding and support among family members is essential in this process.In addition, family members need to be sensitive to their emotional and mental health. Caring for the sick is a difficult task that can lead to stress, anxiety and fatigue among caregivers. Therefore, family members also need to find appropriate ways to take care of themselves, for example by seeking external support, participating in support groups or undertaking self-regulating activities. In this way, they can better support their patients while maintaining their health and well-being.In the area of family interaction, family members can try to carry out some easy and pleasant activities to enhance family cohesion and the mental health of patients. For example, families can watch movies together, play tables or carry out outdoor activities that not only help to distract patients and alleviate suffering, but also enhance emotional ties between family members.Finally, family members should be aware that the treatment of oral cancer is a long-term process and that the adaptation of family roles and daily interactions also needs to evolve as the treatment progresses. Family members need to be flexible and patient in facing the challenges and changes that may arise in the course of treatment. By working together, families can be a strong backstop for the recovery of patients, helping them to overcome their difficulties and regain their confidence and hope in life.