Understanding patients' lived experience following photodynamic therapy for the treatment of advanced cancer

Aim: To gain an understanding of patients' lived experience following photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of advanced cancer. Background: Existing literature on PDT tends to be predominantly grounded in basic science and mainly associated with the effect of PDT on the cancer rather than the individual's experience. An appreciation of the impact on patients' day-to-day life may enhance the support and advice offered to patients undergoing this treatment. Method: A Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used as the philosophical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of six participants. Thematic content analysis was adopted to analyse the data, which yielded six themes. Findings: Analysis of the data yielded six themes: the impact on day-to-day life; existential meaning; the physical effects of treatment; kaleidoscope of emotions; information gap; and family burden. Conclusion: PDT offers palliation of symptoms for some participants while offering hope of enhanced quality of life. Patients and their families have to be willing and well-informed of the need to comply with the guidance provided by healthcare professionals and information leaflets to avoid any photosensitive reaction. There is a need for education for healthcare professionals as PDT is not well recognized or understood as a treatment for advanced cancer.