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Colorectal Cancer and Quality of Life

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Handbook of Quality of Life in Cancer

Abstract

The impact of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its treatment on quality of life (QOL) is widespread and inextricably tied up with the physical and psychosocial issues relating to altered bowel function. Certain clinical (tumour site, staging, treatment) and psychosocial (depression, unmet needs and social support) factors place individuals at higher risk of poor QOL outcomes. CRC-specific QOL tools such as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapies-Colorectal and the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer Colorectal Module are sensitive to the concerns of importance and relevance to people with CRC. Monitoring QOL outcomes of people with CRC is imperative in order to assess treatment toxicity and tolerability and prompt the implementation of management strategies. The growing number of people living longer following a diagnosis of CRC also calls for QOL assessments and interventions to be critical components of survivorship care packages.

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Sodergren, S.C., Vassilios, V. (2022). Colorectal Cancer and Quality of Life. In: Kassianos, A.P. (eds) Handbook of Quality of Life in Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84702-9_24

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