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Quality of Life Research
Published in: Quality of Life Research 4/2022

Open Access 01-04-2022 | Colorectal Cancer

Prevalence vs impact: a mixed methods study of survivorship issues in colorectal cancer

Authors: Amanda Drury, Sheila Payne, Anne-Marie Brady

Published in: Quality of Life Research | Issue 4/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the prevalence of CRC survivorship issues and their impact on survivors’ quality of life (QoL).

Methods

This study utilised a mixed methods sequential explanatory design. Adult CRC survivors between 6- and 60-months post-diagnosis (n = 304) were purposively recruited from three hospitals and twenty-one cancer support centres in Ireland. QoL was evaluated using the EuroQol and FACT-C questionnaires and results compared to population norms. 22 survey participants took part in semi-structured interviews exploring the impact of survivorship issues on their daily lives.

Results

While CRC survivors reported QoL outcomes comparable to or better than normative populations, 54% were dissatisfied with their QoL. The most common survivorship issues reported included negative body image (74%), fatigue (68%), sexual dysfunction (66%) and sleep disturbance (59%). Thematic analysis of the qualitative data illustrated survivors’ attempts to live with the impact of cancer and its treatment (loss, fear, impact) and striving to contextualise, reframe and understand the consequences of cancer and its treatment (control, vigilance, benefit). Within these themes, the cross-domain impact of less prevalent symptoms including bowel dysfunction (28–57%) and peripheral neuropathy (47%) were widely discussed.

Conclusions

Although cancer survivors report positive QoL outcomes, many experience distressing physical, psychological and social effects. The findings suggest less common and difficult to manage symptoms are the greatest source of distress and unmet need. Support and information must be tailored to address survivors’ individual needs and preferences for support, informed by holistic person-centred assessment.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence vs impact: a mixed methods study of survivorship issues in colorectal cancer
Authors
Amanda Drury
Sheila Payne
Anne-Marie Brady
Publication date
01-04-2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Quality of Life Research / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-02975-2

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