Managing psychological distress in patients with colorectal cancer: A narrative review of nursing interventions.

This narrative review synthesizes evidence on effective nursing interventions aimed at mitigating the primary psychological challenges, particularly anxiety and depression, faced by patients with colorectal cancer. A literature search of key databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, was conducted for articles published between 2015 and 2024. The literature confirms that psychological distress is highly prevalent in colorectal cancer patients, with rates often ranging from 20% to 40%. Effective nursing interventions with demonstrated effectiveness include routine distress screening, patient education, psychological counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and promoting physical exercise, all of which are shown to significantly improve quality of life. Given that nurses play a central role in identifying and managing this distress, integrating structured screening and evidence-based supportive interventions into routine cancer care is critical. Future research should focus on developing personalized care protocols for high-risk subgroups, such as patients with ostomies or advanced disease.