A Qualitative Assessment of Colorectal Cancer Survivors' Experiences and Health Promotion Goals After Treatment

Background:

The purpose of this study is to identify colorectal cancer patients' goals and needs after treatment.

Methods:

A semi-structured qualitative interview was administered to a convenience sample of 45 colorectal cancer patients less than or equal to 2 years after treatment, from 2008-2009. Study participants were recruited from three diverse clinic populations in Houston, including a Veterans Affairs medical center, a multispecialty clinic, and a cancer hospital. Topics discussed in the interview included: (1) expectations and goals for future health, (2) cancer prevention awareness, (3) goals for health promotion behavior change, and (4) post-treatment cancer issues. Content analysis was used to explore themes.

Results:

The most common goals pertain to a healthy diet, exercising, work and home responsibilities, spirituality, pain management, identifying or using health care resources, and wanting their lives and health to "return to normal". Overall, participants are aware of health behaviors that improve wellness and possibly prevent recurrence. The highest priority among participants is the need to ameliorate lingering treatment side effects such as pain, decreased mobility and ostomy appliances.

Conclusions:

Our preliminary conclusion is that colorectal cancer patients are interested in making behavior changes to improve their health and prevent recurrence, but treatment side effects and psychosocial issues may need to be addressed first. Health care professionals should work with patients to establish goals after treatment to positively affect health promoting behaviors.