Patient perspective on adapting to bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery

Bowel dysfunction continues to be a clinically significant consequence of rectal cancer surgery, affecting quality of life. Rectal cancer patients value self-empowerment and adaptation to change to improve their quality of life in the context of bowel dysfunction. There are limited qualitative data addressing patients' perspectives on adapting to bowel dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients' perspectives on adapting to bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery.

Adult patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery with sphincter preservation at a single colorectal referral centre from July 2017 to July 2020 were included. Patients were excluded if they had surgery <1 year since recruitment, received a permanent stoma or developed recurrence or metastasis. Semistructured interviews were held by phone and transcribed verbatim. Bowel dysfunction was assessed via the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score. Thematic analysis was used to identify adaptations which patients found helpful for improving bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery.

A total of 54 patient interviews were included. The distribution of patients with no, minor and major LARS was 39%, 22% and 39%, respectively. Four main themes were conceived from the analysis: implementing lifestyle changes, fostering supportive relationships and self-compassion, communication and access to resources, and adapting to social and cultural challenges. Associated subthemes were identified, namely forward planning, self-compassion and addressing social stigma.

Patients' valuable perspective on adapting to bowel dysfunction involve subtle themes which expand the existing literature. These themes inform a patient-centred approach, which may improve outcomes and quality of care for rectal cancer patients.