title: Patients' experiences of living beyond colorectal cancer: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study of the experiences of individuals with colorectal cancer in the period following their cancer treatment and the physical, psychological and social aspects associated with adjusting to everyday life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative interviews using a phenomenological approach were conducted with a purposive sample of 13 individuals who had completed active curative treatment for colorectal cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study findings suggest that colorectal cancer survivors employ a broad range of techniques and approaches to manage adjustment to everyday life such as goal-setting, managing informal networks and adopting strategies for physical and emotional recovery. Personal interests were used to create a sense of meaning and through the cultivation of altruistic and utilitarian outlooks on life, positive emotional gains were obtained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colorectal cancer survivors employ personal strategies for managing life in the survivorship period following cancer treatment. The study findings demonstrate additional areas for exploration such as the effect of altruism on adjustment and the relationship to other groups of cancer survivors.
authors: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral CH63 4JY, UK. Electronic address: Lynda.appleton@clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk.
authors: Lynda
authors: L
authors: Appleton
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Goodlad
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Irvine
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Poole
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Wall
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Nursing; Phenomenology; Survivorship