MODERN VIEWS ON THE PROBLEM OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER (review of literature data)

Abstract

Abstract. Purpose – to study modern approaches used in the world's oncology clinics for medical and psychological support and rehabilitation of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) at various stages of anticancer treatment. Materials and methods. During the research, available abstract and full-text publications were used, which had been obtained as a result of an information search for 2014–2022 in international databases (PubMed; ScienceDirect; Wiley Online Library; Google Scholar; Directory of Open Access Journals). Results. It has been established that modern scientific sources present conflicting data regarding the psychological states of patients with CRC, from emotional well-being to high levels of distress, anxiety and depression. Foreign scientists are developing and offering various directions of assistance to this group of patients, aimed at the patient's acceptance of the stoma; awareness of the psychological mechanisms of the disease, reduction of the level of distress and anxiety, restoration of interpersonal relations. The programs available in the literature are focused on supporting patients, increasing their physical activity and social aspects of the rehabilitation process after discharge from the hospital, reducing pain syndrome at the palliative stage by using the latest modern computer technologies. The proposed programs are safe for patients and feasible, but vary in effectiveness. Conclusions. Psychological assistance to patients with CRC should include individual and group psychological support for both the patient and their relatives, which will be provided at all stages of the treatment process, namely, preparation for surgical intervention, after surgery, accompanying patients at the stages of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and in case of relapse and continuation of the disease, transition to palliative medicine. Keywords: oncology, colorectal cancer, psychological stress, distress, quality of life, psychological support, rehabilitation of cancer patients.