Quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer: a review

Abstract

Quality of life is a concept that must be approached in a multidimensional way, related to the physical, mental, social and functional health of an individual. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world and a major cause of death. We conducted a literature review in order to present the existing knowledge regarding the quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer. Although the cause of colorectal cancer is currently unknown, we identified a number of risk factors that need to be considered, such as unchanged hereditary risk factors: age and aging, family and personal history, gender, genetic risk, as well as modifiable, non-hereditary risk factors: diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, air pollutants.Colorectal cancer can contribute to the deterioration of quality of life through the direct consequences of the disease, through the effects of surgical treatment (colorectal cancer operated and / or with colostomy), long-term complications and metastases. Comorbidities, obesity, smoking, old age, poor education are associated with a low quality of life and risk of death.