ArticleQuality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation2025
Understanding the impact of early onset colorectal cancer on quality of life: a qualitative analysis of online forum data.
Article in Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Are Social Media Platforms an Effective Forum for Engaging Early-Onset Cancer Survivors? Insights From X (Formerly Twitter).Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology · 2026Article
- Optimization of multiprofessional care for young colorectal cancer patients: a qualitative Study.The oncologist · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeEarly onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is rising. The profile of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impacts may differ in this younger cohort. Online forums are a source of unfiltered information regarding patient experience. This study used a qualitative analysis of online forum messages to elicit the unique HRQOL impacts of EOCRC.
methodsMessages were extracted from an online EOCRC UK forum. Inductive coding (with 10% dual-coding) and thematic analysis were used to describe the impact of diagnosis and treatment on HRQOL.
resultsData extraction and analyses were performed over one month; 463 messages (dated 01/04/2019 to 31/03/2024) were included. There was 100% concordance on dual-coding for main themes. Eight themes emerged: (1) diagnostic pathway and barriers; (2) parenthood and effect on children; (3) employment and finances; (4) fertility and early menopause; (5) stoma implications; (6) support systems, relationships and isolation; (7) sport and exercise and (8) mental health.
conclusionsQualitative thematic analysis of online forum data is a novel and efficient methodology for understanding the impact of cancer on HRQOL. Identified themes overlapped with those published in previous systematic reviews. This study offers new insights into the impact of isolation, early menopause, benefits of parenthood, psychological impact on children and practical and psychological implications of potential infertility in EOCRC. Current understanding of the diagnostic challenges and unique HRQOL impacts of EOCRC raises future research questions regarding how colorectal cancer services should evolve to provide support more in keeping with the needs of this growing younger cohort.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.