Colorectal cancer survivors' adjustment to permanent colostomy in Switzerland

A qualitative analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID5134976
AuthorsThierry Mathieu (0000-0001-8502-1908, University of Geneva), Sarah Cairo Notari (0000-0003-2623-2881, University of Geneva), Fabienne Fasseur (University of Lausanne), Nicolas Favez (0000-0003-1744-7602, University of Geneva)
Year2025
Volume30
Issue2
Pages131-143
Publication date2025-02-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13591053241237569
PMID38485928
OpenAlexW4392859738
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited40

Colostomized colorectal cancer survivors present physical, psychological, and social difficulties after treatment, which complicate their return to normal life. Nevertheless, we lack insight into their lived transition experience after treatment in Switzerland. We led nine semi-structured interviews with participants who had a colostomy for a mean of 16.4 years. The participants' mean age was 73.1 years. Through an inductive thematic analysis, we highlighted several adaptation difficulties. Their body image was poor, and they behaved differently than before the surgery. For fear of being rejected, they concealed their colostomy. However, they felt isolated and often wished for more support. They may be in a vicious circle where their difficulties are maintained. We advocate that supporting survivors psychologically beyond the end of their treatment is essential to facilitate adjustment and overcome cancer

Cancer · Cancer survivor · Colorectal cancer · Colostomy · Lived experience · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Cancer survivorship and care · Colorectal Cancer Surgical Treatments · Medicine · Psychology · Stoma care and complications · Surgery

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access