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. 1997;75(6):914–920. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1997.161

Follow-up of colorectal cancer patients: quality of life and attitudes towards follow-up.

A M Stiggelbout 1, J C de Haes 1, R Vree 1, C J van de Velde 1, C M Bruijninckx 1, K van Groningen 1, J Kievit 1
PMCID: PMC2063387  PMID: 9062416

Abstract

The aims of our study were to assess the effect of follow-up on the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients and to assess the attitudes of patients towards follow-up as a function of patient characteristics. Patients who had been treated with curative intent were selected from four types of hospitals. Eighty-two patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, whereas 130 patients received the questionnaire by mail. To assess the effect of follow-up on the quality of life, the interviewed patients were randomly allocated to three groups and interviewed at different times in relation to the follow-up visit. Analysis did not show an effect of the follow-up visit on quality of life. Patients reported a positive attitude towards follow-up: it reassured them, they judged the communication with the physician to be positive, and they experienced only slight nervous anticipation and few other disadvantages. Patients reported a strong preference for follow-up, and a large majority would prefer follow-up even if it would not lead to earlier detection of a recurrence. Apart from living situation, no patient characteristics were clearly associated with the attitude towards follow-up. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

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Selected References

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