Determining the quality of life patients with colorectal cancer in Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital in Iraq

Colon and rectum cancer affects the large intestine, which is the lower and last part of the digestive system. It is one of the most common cancer diseases in the world and is more common in adults over the age of 45. It affects males at a higher rate than females. Colorectal cancer begins in the form of clusters of small cells that form growths called polyps. They are initially non-cancerous and form in the inner wall of the colon and rectum. Their growth is slow, but over time, most of them turn into malignant cancerous. Generally, the causes are genetic factor, inflammatory diseases in the intestines, diet, diabetes, obesity, exposure to radiation, etc. In addition to blood in the stool, the most important symptoms are the feeling that the abdomen is not fully emptied during defecation, long-term abdominal pain, loss of appetite, anemia and the patient's weight loss without any reason. It is important to know the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients. Quality of life includes many dimensions including physical, social, psychological and economic. This study aimed to determine the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients. A cross-sectional research design was used in the study. The number of patients participating in the sample was 225. Data were collected between July 2022 and October 2022 at a Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq. Sociodemographic Form and EORTC QLQ-C30 Quality of Life Scale were used as data collection tools. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method. In the analysis of data; Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis Test were used to analyze descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and quantitative data. Of the participants, 52.9% were between the ages of 38-47, 63.1% were male, 87.1% were married, 49.3% were university graduates, 68% were civil servants, 66.7% have income equal to their expenses, 74.7% have 1- 5 children, 72.9% live in the city. 59.6% of them did not have cancer in their family, 41.3% were receiving chemotherapy, and 49.8% stated that they had colorectal cancer for 8 months. EORTC QLQ-C30 subscale score averages are as follows; Its functional dimension is 34.7422±4.47665, its symptoms dimension is 32.5111±3.59080, and its general health dimension is 6.7067±3.50805. There is a significant difference between the participants' age, education level, job, income level and place of residence and the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional dimension (p<0.05). Additionally, there is a significant difference between work income status and place of residence and the extent of symptoms (p<0.05). It was found that there is a relationship between age and the general functions of the patient, as the disease rate increases with age and for those over the age of 40, where their general functions are weak due to age and because of the negative side effects of the treatments. It was also determined that the patient's gender and general functions were not affected, both genders affected their general functions equally, but there was a low correlation between the patient's gender and the symptoms of the disease. Symptoms were more common in men. İt was found that there was a relationship between the patient's occupation and work and the severity of the symptoms. It was determined that there was a relationship between the symptoms of the disease and the place where the patient lived. It was found that there is a relationship between the patient's general functions and his general health. It was determined that there was a relationship between the genetic factor and the incidence of this disease, but it was weak. Their cognitive functions were found to be low, their social functions moderate, and their emotional functions weak. In the study, it was determined that the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients was low. It can be recommended that nurses monitor the health status of patients, plan care content that will improve the quality of life, reduce the side effects of treatment by giving appropriate treatment, and guide patients and parents about the necessity of appropriate nutrition and exercise activity. It is also important for patients to receive psychological support from their families and surroundings, as well as from nurses.