Age matters: long-term symptoms in colorectal cancer survivors

This study investigated the long-term well-being of colon and rectal cancer survivors.

Over the last decades there have been major advances in the screening for and treatment of colon and rectal cancer. As a result, the numbers of survivors of these cancers is increasing worldwide. To improve aftercare quality for survivors it is important to assess what problems they are most likely to face. Evidence suggests that survivors can experience bowel, urinary, and sexual problems, as well as anxiety and general well-being problems. However, it is not known whether age can impact a patient’s risk of developing specific problems. 

This study assessed the outcome of 830 colorectal cancer patients who had survived more than 5 years after diagnosis. Patients were divided based on their age at diagnosis: younger onset survivors (282 patients age 18-50) or older onset survivors (548 patients age 50 or older). Patients’ medical records were assessed and they completed a questionnaire relating to their well-being (physical health, sexual function, symptoms and mental well-being).

The rates of certain treatments were significantly different between younger and older onset patients. Younger onset survivors underwent more surgery (97.9%) than older onset survivors (93.6%). Younger onset survivors also received more chemotherapy (86.1%) than older onset survivors (77.7%).

Anxiety, body image, sexual dysfunction, bowel movements embarrassment and urination problems were concerns for survivors. Younger onset survivors faced different long-term problems compared to older onset survivors. They had significantly worse anxiety, body image, abdominal and pelvic pain, bloated feeling, hair loss and embarrassment regarding bowel movements.

Older onset survivors had worse problems with sexual function than younger onset survivors. Older onset survivors also had worse problems with urination.

This study concluded that survivors of colon and rectal cancer faced ongoing problems. They highlighted that older patients faced different problems than younger patients and that age should be used to help develop a long-term care plan.