Relationships Between Colorectal Cancer Survivors’ Positive Psychology, Symptoms, and Quality of Life

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors’ symptom and symptom cluster characteristics (occurrence, frequency, and severity), positive psychology (benefit-finding and post-traumatic growth), and quality of life (QoL), and determined whether positive psychology moderates symptoms and QoL relationship during acute cancer survivorship, time from diagnosis to treatment completion. A total of 117 CRC survivors completed demographics, symptoms, QoL, and positive psychology questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and moderation analyses were performed. Participants reported high QoL (94%, M = 5.15) and moderate-high positive psychology (75%, M = 3.21). Nineteen symptoms and five symptom clusters were inversely related to QoL ( p < .05). Positive psychology ( M = ~≥3.24) moderated the relationship of QoL ( p < .05) with symptoms occurrence ( n = 10), symptom severity ( n = 1), and with the generalized symptom cluster (weakness, fatigue, dizziness, drowsy, sleep disturbances, and pain). Positive psychology aids in symptom management and improves QoL. Nurses are poised to identify, prevent, promote, and advocate self-management skills to improve health-related outcomes.

Factors associated with long-term gastrointestinal symptoms in colorectal cancer survivors in the women’s health initiatives (WHI study)

“…However, few studies have been performed to understand long-term GI symptoms in female CRC survivors. In previous research examining symptoms in CRC survivors [4,13,14], most participants were men (65% across the studies). There is limited data investigating why some patients with CRC suffer from severe longterm GI symptoms and others do not.…”

“…Most studies that have examined symptoms have focused on psychological distress or breast cancer survivors [2,3,8]. In terms of research examining GI symptoms in CRC survivors, evidence is mainly limited by acute GI symptoms during or right after cancer treatments [4,11,12], or there is a lack of understanding of factors relating to long-term GI symptoms in CRC survivors [13][14][15].…”

ROS-Responsive PLGA-NPs for Co-Delivery of DTX and DHA for Colon Cancer Treatment

“…Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated death on a global scale [1]. It begins with the formation of polyps on the internal surface of the mucosa and then gradually begins to progress, invading the colorectal tissues and causing symptoms such as intestinal bleeding, constipation and severe abdominal pain [2]. The survival of the affected patients is especially related to the high degree of tumor recurrence and the propensity that CRC has for distant metastases [3].…”