Meta-analysis finds survivorship programs improve quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors

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Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Published May 18, 2026 Medically reviewed May 20, 2026 Study authors: Do Pham Nhat Vi, Nguyen Thi Khanh, Qi Yishu, Choi Kai Chow, Hoang Thi Xuan Huong, Le Ba Phuoc, Lam Y… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Consider that survivorship programs may improve quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors, but evidence quality is low to moderate.

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials involving 2,949 colorectal cancer survivors. The review synthesized evidence on the effect of survivorship programs on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

The authors found a significant improvement in the physical domain of HRQoL, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.52 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.86, P = 0.002). They also found a significant improvement in the mental domain, with an SMD of 0.40 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.74, P = 0.02). Heterogeneity was high for both outcomes (I² = 88% for physical, I² = 86% for mental).

The authors noted that the overall quality of the findings was from low to moderate. A sensitivity analysis involved reducing heterogeneity after removing one study.

The review did not report on specific program components, comparators, or adverse events. The authors acknowledged the high heterogeneity as a limitation.

The authors suggest the findings provide potential evidence for health providers to support colorectal cancer survivors post-treatment, but the low to moderate quality and high heterogeneity warrant caution.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedMay 2026

PMID42149231

View Original Abstract ↓

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the survivorship programmes by synthesising and analysing the available evidence to enhance health-related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. METHODS: Ten English-language databases were searched from inception to June 2025 in this systematic review and meta-analysis. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Available data were pooled in a meta-analysis using RevMan (version 5.4.0). Two independent reviewers performed the database searches, extracted the data, assessed the methodological quality by using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (version 2) and evaluated the overall quality of findings by using Cochrane GRADE. RESULTS: A total of 22 RCTs involving 2949 CRC survivors were identified. The meta-analysis results (thirteen studies) indicated a significant improvement in the physical (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI, 0.18, 0.86], P = 0.002, I = 88%) and mental domains of HRQoL (SMD = 0.4, 95% CI [0.06, 0.74], P = 0.02, I = 86%). Sensitivity analysis involved reducing the heterogeneity after removing one study. No publication bias was found. The overall quality of findings was from 'low' to 'moderate'. CONCLUSIONS: The detailed components of the survivorship programme can enhance HRQoL in physical and mental domains, indicating its potential as valuable evidence for health providers to support CRC survivors post-treatment. Future research should focus on expanding the delivery of such programme comprehensively by integrating mobile health into a nurse-led approach to optimise geographic diversity and improve social HRQoL.