UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCES OF COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS IN IRAQI KURDISTAN: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Pediatric oncology nursing represents a highly specialized healthcare domain that requires nurses to provide comprehensive care to children with cancer while simultaneously managing profound emotional demands. Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rising in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). While the clinical aspects are documented, the psychosocial and cultural dimensions of the patient experience remain unexplored, creating a gap in providing holistic care.This qualitative study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological design, guided by Diekelmann's interpretive framework. Twelve CRC patients were purposively recruited from two major teaching hospitals in Erbil. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews (March–July 2025) and analyzed using Diekelmann's seven-step process.Analysis revealed four interrelated themes that capture the profound disruption caused by CRC: (1) Shattered Certainty: characterized by initial shock and pervasive existential fear; (2) Fractured Selfhood: encompassing loss of identity, social roles, and altered self-image; (3) Embodied Struggle: involving severe physical suffering and the burdensome nature of treatment; and (4) Fractured Foundations: stemming from significant financial strain and the disruption of daily life and family routines. A CRC diagnosis causes a comprehensive rupture of normalcy, affecting patients emotionally, physically, socially, and financially. The findings underscore an urgent need in the KRI to move beyond purely biomedical models of care. Developing integrated support services that address psychological distress, financial counselling, and cultural nuances is essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.