Abstract
To examine colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors' symptom characteristics (occurrence, frequency, and severity) during acute cancer survivorship. A cross-sectional study of 117 CRC survivors was conducted at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida. Symptom characteristics were assessed by the Therapy-Related Symptom Checklist. Participants completed a 25-item demographic questionnaire. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests assessed between-group differences based on sex, age, education, and months since diagnosis. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify preliminary symptom clusters. 117 CRC survivors completed the study (age range = 21-88 years, 56% male, and 79% stage IV). Common symptoms included peripheral neuropathy, fatigue/feeling sluggish, and skin changes. Significance was found between months since diagnosis and number of symptoms (p = 0.03), suggesting that symptoms accumulate with time. Chemotherapy (85%) was the most common treatment type, and exploratory factor analysis identified two chemotherapy-related symptom clusters. Nurses are poised to identify, prevent, and promote self-management skills to reduce symptoms.
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