Illness Experiences and Supportive Care Needs of Patients With Early‐Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Luqing Liao, Linrui Ye, Qiyuan Huang, Lulu Wang, Yueshen Pan, Jitao Zeng, Zhimin Du, Xuehu XuABSTRACT
Aims
To synthesise the holistic illness experiences and supportive care needs of patients with early‐onset colorectal cancer across the entire disease trajectory.
Background
The incidence of early‐onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as colorectal cancer diagnosed in individuals younger than 50 years, has been steadily increasing. Patients are often diagnosed during critical periods of intimate relationship formation, family building and career development, when financial stability is also being established. This timing can create substantial challenges across multiple domains of quality of life. However, no previous qualitative review has systematically synthesised the illness experiences and supportive care needs of patients with EOCRC.
Design
A qualitative systematic review using JBI meta‐aggregation and reported in accordance with the PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines.
Methods
Qualitative studies were included if they explored the illness experiences and supportive care needs of patients with EOCRC. Two reviewers independently conducted study screening and data extraction.
Data Sources
We searched PubMed, Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, CNKI, WanFang, VIP and Google Scholar. The databases were searched from inception to 28 January 2026.
Results
This review included 17 studies. A total of 168 extracted findings were aggregated into 13 categories and four synthesised findings. The four synthesised findings concerned prediagnostic healthcare‐seeking difficulties, multidimensional effects of disease and treatment, a lack of age‐appropriate supportive services and positive adaptation.
Conclusion
Patients with EOCRC have distinct illness experiences and require tailored age‐specific supportive services to address their unique needs.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public contribution.
Relevance to Clinical Practice
Healthcare professionals should maintain greater diagnostic vigilance and provide clear referral pathways for young adults with suspected EOCRC. Routine multidimensional needs assessment and coordinated, age‐appropriate supportive care should address patients' psychological, rehabilitative, reproductive, sexual, financial and social needs while fostering their resilience and self‐advocacy.
Trial Registration
PROSPERO Database (CRD420261294991).