Listening to patients: A qualitative study on diagnostic delay, coping strategies and stigma in early‐onset colorectal cancer
Participants from all cancer stages and aged between 30 and 50 years were recruited. We developed three main themes from the collected data: diagnostic delay, coping mechanisms and stigmatisation. Despite access to a well-resourced healthcare system, study participants experienced diagnostic delays, indicating the need for increased physician awareness and improved risk-based screening for high-risk individuals. Participants' key coping strategies included self-advocacy and participating in medical decision-making, like prioritising fertility preservation over rushed treatment. Participants reported fear of stigmatisation and isolation after being diagnosed. Such stigma manifested in concerns over alopecia or living with an ostomy. Finally, participants experienced an internal shift in personal priorities resulting in post-traumatic growth despite cancer diagnosis CONCLUSIONS: EOCC challenges current clinical practices. Better physician awareness, risk-factor-based screening policies, integrated discussions about individual treatment such as potential fertility issues and targeting stigma are critical for improving the EOCC patients' journey.
Authors
- Beat Peter Müller-Stich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8552-8538)
- Stephanie Taha‐Mehlitz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0962-6275)
- Daniel Christian Steinemann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4111-2909)
- Amanda K. Huber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0375-8709)
- Jennifer M. Klasen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8355-1606)
- Raffaele Galli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4644-307X)
- Sofia Teixeira da Cunha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3450-6934)
- C. T. Viehl
- A F Muller
- Lukas Eisner
- Mathias Worni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9422-431X)
- Mark Henschel
- Suna Erdem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6578-5474)
- M. Strauß (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1872-2397)
- Sebastian Happ
- Daniel Rodjakovic
- Thomas Simon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6137-4794)
- Hélène Gros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4968-6627)
- J.‐M. Gass
Institutions
- University of Bern (CH)
- University of Lucerne (CH)
- University of Basel (CH)
- University Hospital of Basel (CH)
- Kantonsspital Baselland (CH)
- Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site (CH)
- Luzerner Kantonsspital (CH)
- St. Claraspital (CH)
- Kantonsschule Olten (CH)
- Spital Uster (CH)
- Digestive Care (United States) (US)
- Spitalzentrum Centre hospitalier Biel- Bienne (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Colorectal Disease
- Published
- 2025-10-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.70285
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.05