Coping strategies among colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery and the role of the surgeon in mitigating distress: A qualitative study

“Distress is common among cancer patients and leads to worse postoperative outcomes. Surgeons are often the first physicians to have in-depth conversations with patients about a new colorectal cancer diagnosis; therefore, it is important that these surgeons understand how patients cope with the distress of a diagnosis and how they can help patients manage this distress.”