A systematic review of quantitative studies reporting selected patient experienced outcomes, with a specific focus on gender differences in people with colorectal cancer

BackgroundMen with colorectal cancer have a higher mortality rate than their female counterparts. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of the impact gender has on the experience of colorectal cancer.AimThis paper reports a systematic review of quantitative studies exploring patients' experience of colorectal cancer with a focus on gender differences in how they experience colorectal cancer and cope with the illness.Review methodsRelevant literature was identified through a computer search. A narrative synthesis of studies which examined the experience of colorectal cancer in adults before, during and/or after their cancer treatment was carried out.ResultsTwenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Reviewed studies quantified the experience of colorectal cancer through the assessment of coping strategies, adjustment to illness, sense of coherence, demands of illness, distress, information need, support need and decision-making preference. There was some evidence of gender differences in some aspects of the experience of colorectal cancer but this was equivocal. All the reviewed papers had methodological weaknesses.ConclusionsNo definite conclusion could be drawn on the effect of gender on the colorectal cancer experience due to the small number of studies examining comparable variables and the variety of outcome measures used. More methodologically sound research including an inception cohort of individuals assessed prospectively using accepted outcome measures is needed.