Systematic screening for late sequelae after colorectal cancer—a feasibility study

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a new method for systematic screening for late sequelae (LS) following colorectal cancer treatment. Method Patients with colorectal cancer from five Danish hospitals were invited to complete a survey about LS at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months after surgery as part of their follow‐up. The survey consisted primarily of validated tools, supplemented by a few ad hoc items, measuring bowel, urinary and sexual dysfunction, pain and quality of life and an additional question regarding request for contact. Patients completed surveys electronically or on paper. Results Of the 1721 invited patients, 1386 (80.5%) were included (1085 with colon cancer and 301 with rectal cancer) of whom 72.5% responded electronically. Patients responding electronically were 7.6 years younger than those responding on paper (P < 0.001). Since some patients answered more than once, the dataset consisted of 2361 surveys. Patients with colon cancer requested phone contact in 19.0% of the surveys, and 8.4% were referred to treatment for LS, primarily bowel dysfunction. Among patients with rectal cancer, 30.8% requested phone contact and 16.2% were referred for treatment of LS, mainly due to bowel and sexual dysfunction. Conclusion This is the first paper investigating a new method of systematic screening for LS following colorectal cancer using electronic patient‐reported outcome measures. The study shows that in the Danish population a high response rate can be obtained with this method and that close to three‐quarters of patients respond electronically. Patients with rectal cancer had a higher need for phone contact and treatment of LS than patients with colon cancer.

Life with a stoma across five European countries—a cross-sectional study on long-term rectal cancer survivors

“…In this way, patients that wish for professional consultation and help can be reached. Such systematic screening for late sequela after colorectal cancer has proven feasible in a Danish setting and is expected to improve functional outcomes and HRQoL [43].…”

Chronic pain after colon cancer surgery: Translation and validation of a scoring system

“…This improvement is seen not only in the Western world but also in other geographical areas where high-quality care is available [2]. A growing number of CRC survivors suffer from a broad spectrum of late sequelae, including bowel, urinary, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, psychological distress, insomnia, and pain, all of which may severely affect the quality of life (QoL) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Severe persistent postsurgical pain is a…”

Coping strategies and considerations regarding low anterior resection syndrome and quality of life among patients with rectal cancer; a qualitative interview study

“…In the study, patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) complete questionnaires at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months after surgery. The selected domains in the questionnaire include bowel, urinary and sexual dysfunction, chronic pain and stoma problems ( 10 ). The participants included in the present study had a LAR for rectal cancer with or without chemo-/radiotherapy, and they had no stoma at the time of the interview.…”

“…That would be it". (10) A good close and intimate relation was very important for most of the patients:…”