Live with mask and guilt: A qualitative study on experiences of stigma among postoperative oral cancer patients in China

Abstract Objectives: To explore the drives, manifestations and coping strategies of stigma in postoperative oral cancer patients to provide a reference for the formulation of targeted intervention measures.Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, we enrolled 15 postoperative oral cancer patients in a certain Grade a hospital from 10 March 2021 to 30 June 2021 in Hunan Province, China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interview data were analyzed using a framework analysis based on qualitative content analysis methods. This study aligns with the COREQ checklist.Results: The stigma experience of postoperative oral cancer patients can be divided into 3 themes: (1) drivers (internal factors and external factors); (2) manifestations (isolation, feeling of guilt, feeling of inferiority and the experience of discrimination); (3) coping strategies (self-adjustment, seeking social support and enhance physical quality).Conclusion: Postoperative oral cancer patients lived with mask and guilt, and experienced multiple forms of discrimination. Further work is needed to increase education and awareness about oral cancer to guide them to take positive coping and reduce stigma.