The preoperative experience of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: a phenomenological study

Colorectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; many patients undergo surgical resection following which they are discharged home to await adjuvant therapy. Using a phenomenological approach, patients' experiences during this period were investigated arising from a concern that their needs may be overlooked. However, though post-discharge experience was the primary focus, informants chose first to talk about their preoperative experiences; these are reported here. As this was not the primary focus, we cannot claim that the data is complete though the findings suggest that this area warrants further investigation. Preoperative experiences, characterised by fear, questions, isolation and uncertainty, exerted significant influence on the respondents. Some believed that cancer was 'their problem', no-one could help them with it although support from the Clinical Nurse Specialist was highly valued. Such reactions are not specific to colorectal disease and it was rarely evident that respondents had this form of cancer. Patients exhibited a desire to protect others from their diagnosis. The findings also show considerable variation in the requirement for information indicating that professionals should take their lead from the individual concerned. Patients with cancer are the 'experts' in living with the disease and their experiences can make a significant contribution to the planning and delivery of care. These findings have the potential to impact on the care received by those with colorectal cancer.