Older adults' experiences of adapting to changes after colorectal cancer surgery in Sweden: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES

To explore older adults’ experiences of adapting to physical, emotional and cognitive changes during the first month after colorectal cancer surgery.

DESIGN, SETTING,

PARTICIPANTS

A qualitative descriptive study with an inductive approach was conducted in the Stockholm region, Sweden. Thirteen adults aged ≥60 years who had undergone planned colorectal cancer surgery participated in semi-structured interviews 1-month postoperatively. Data were analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s guidelines.

RESULTS

Participants described recovery as a gradual and multifaceted process shaped by changes in their physical, cognitive and emotional capacities. Everyday activities required deliberate planning, pacing and continuous adjustment to fluctuating energy and function. These adaptations took place within a relational context, where support from family and healthcare professionals was experienced as both enabling and demanding. A heightened awareness of mortality emerged following the cancer diagnosis and remained present in daily life, influencing how participants prioritised and engaged in activities. Over time, participants navigated uncertainty through efforts to balance management and acceptance while striving to maintain autonomy and involvement in daily life.

CONCLUSIONS

Recovery after colorectal cancer surgery in older adults is a dynamic and multidimensional process shaped by altered bodily capacity and awareness of mortality. Rehabilitation should extend beyond physical function to support everyday adaptation, autonomy and patients’ capacity to navigate uncertainty during the postoperative period.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05564195.