Understanding the Lived Experiences of Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Phenomological Study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a life-altering diagnosis whose physical, psychological, social, and economic burdens are often obscured by clinical data. While CRC's national burden is quantitatively documented, little is known about how patients in Region III, Philippines, experience this journey within their local contexts. This qualitative study employed Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of five adult CRC patients selected through purposive maximum-variation sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis, grounded in Abaquin's "PREPARE ME" Holistic Nursing Interventions Theory. Five themes emerged: Physical Disruption and Bodily Relearning, Psychological Oscillation Between Fear and Acceptance, Social Renegotiation of Relationships and Roles, Economic Strain and Hidden Costs, and Transformation of Identity and Meaning. Findings revealed interconnected burdens, with disease stage and social support as moderating factors. Despite suffering, participants demonstrated meaning-making and post-traumatic growth, offering advocacy-oriented messages. These findings affirm the need for holistic, culturally congruent nursing interventions addressing identity and social connectedness alongside physical symptom management.