Listening to Patients: A Qualitative Study on Diagnostic Delay, Coping Strategies, and Stigma in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

This study on early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCC) involved participants aged 30 to 50 and identified three main themes: diagnostic delay, coping mechanisms, and stigmatisation. Despite a well-resourced healthcare system, diagnostic delays were common, highlighting the need for increased physician awareness and improved risk-based screening. Key coping strategies included self-advocacy and involvement in medical decisions, such as prioritizing fertility preservation. Participants feared stigma and isolation, particularly concerning alopecia and living with an ostomy. The study concludes that EOCC challenges current clinical practices, necessitating better physician awareness, risk-based screening, integrated treatment discussions, and efforts to address stigma to improve patient experiences.