PSYCHOLOGICAL STRAIN OF PATIENTS IN A FOL LOW-UP PROGRAM AFTER CURATIVE RESECTION FOR COLORECTAL-CARCINOMA

In a prospective study 70 patients after curative resection for colore ctal carcinoma were asked about the psychological strain in the follow -up program. Of these patients, 80.1% felt that they did the right thi ng and 70% were optimistic and confident regarding the follow-up exami nations. Only 5 patients (7.1%) had no intention of keeping the follow -up appointment and 12 patients (17.1%) were thinking about recurrence . The patients were afraid of further examinations, and the majority ( 45 patients) hoped that further invasive examinations would not be nec essary. Patients with a higher frequency of follow-up examinations did not report with more stress than patients fewer follow-up visits (P = 0.7 fisher exact). Older, single and female patients are special risk groups with a high level of psychological strain and should receive s pecial attention within the follow-up (P < 0.08, fisher exact). In spi te of the disappointing medical effectiveness of the regular follow-up program, psychological support in coping with cancer is the main resu lt of regular follow-up visits to the hospital after curative resectio n of colorectal carcinoma and should be maintained.