Health Related Quality of Life among Patients with Colorectal Cancer in  Erbil, Iraq

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a big impact on patients’ daily lives and quality of life. This study aims to assess health related quality of life domains among patients with colorectal cancer and to identify predictors, which interfere with the patient’s quality life and its associations with sociodemographic of participants.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out from May to September 2025 in Erbil city on 140 patients, which affected with colorectal cancer. Data were collected using sociodemographic data form, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires EROTC QLQ-C30 for general cancer quality life, and the QLQ-CR29, specific for colorectal symptoms. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25, using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: (32.9%) of study sample were in age group more than 60 years old, while more than half of participants were men (58.6%) and most were married (82.9%), illiterate (23.6%) and living in urban areas were (87.1%). The mean score of global health status was 47.08 ± 23.48, showing moderate quality of life. Among the functional domains, role functioning was highest (72.26 ± 18.92), followed by emotional functioning (67.73 ± 19.45), while cognitive functioning was lowest (56.30 ± 27.15). The most common symptoms were fatigue (83.57 ± 15.39) and pain (79.52 ± 18.57). Colorectal cancer-specific symptoms had very high mean scores, especially flatulence (102.81 ± 36.88), embarrassment (107.61 ± 31.31), sore skin (107.38 ± 32.00), and fecal incontinence (99.28 ± 38.86). Age and gender were significantly associated with several quality of life domains.

Conclusion: Patients with colorectal cancer in Erbil have moderate quality of life with high symptom burden. Age and gender were important factors that influenced quality of life. More supportive care and education are needed to improve the well-being of patients.