Facilitators and barriers to survivorship support access: a qualitative study of rectal cancer survivors' experiences in Texas.

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to analyse rectal cancer survivors' lived experiences to identify facilitators and barriers to support access. We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews and employed thematic analysis to identify key themes and insights. Participants included eight rectal cancer survivors and three caregivers recruited at Texas Colorectal Collaborative sites. Results showed that adequate hospital resources, high health literacy and close connections with clinicians and peers who share similar experiences facilitate survivors' access to social support. Conversely, ineffective healthcare team communication, financial challenges and low self-motivation hindered access. Survivorship experiences were shaped by varying degrees of social support access, influenced by internal and external factors. We aim to establish a cross-institutional survivorship support network to address these factors, ensuring equitable access to support services and enhancing survivorship experiences.