Surviving colorectal cancer

About a quarter of a million people in the UK are living with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. As more patients are being diagnosed and subsequently cured, the demands on currently available follow-up services will increase. We know that cure can come at the cost of bowel, urinary, neurological and sexual problems – most of these issues are underestimated, poorly understood and inadequately managed by clinicians. At this point in time follow-up services neither meet patients’ needs for rehabilitation and support, nor are they the most cost-effective way to pick up treatable recurrence. As part of the survivorship program the diagnosis of cancer can also be an important opportunity to stimulate lifestyle changes to help reduce recurrence rates and improve quality of life. There is now a shift in management of these people with a greater focus on recovery, health and well-being after cancer treatment. Through the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) a model of change addressing these issues has been outlined.