Colorectal cancer is among the most common neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with a dramatic decline in quality of life (QoL). The present study’s aim was to ascertain the QoL and its associated factors in patients with colorectal cancer in Isfahan province.

In this cross-sectional study, QoL was assessed using the QOL-C29 and QOL-C30 questionnaires in 400 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer registered in the cancer registration system in Isfahan province in 2015.

The mean QoL score in the patients was 54.61 ± 16.1, and life quality was satisfactory in 46 (11.5%) patients, moderate in 153 (38.3%), and poor in 201 (50.2%) individuals. The mean QoL scores in the functional and symptoms dimensions were 47.65 ± 17.6 and 44.89 ± 13.53, respectively. There was no significant difference in the QoL score between the two genders, but significant differences were observed regarding age group, having an ostomy, type of surgery, and disease stage.

The findings of the present study showed that patients with colorectal cancer were deprived of satisfactory QoL, and over two-thirds of the patients had poor physical and psychological conditions depending on various factors such as the patient’s age, history of surgery, bearing a colostomy sac, and disease stage. Therefore, it is necessary to offer these patients special supportive care in physical, psychological, and social dimensions so that they can enjoy better QoL.