The findings enhance the understanding of the impact
colorectal cancer has on both patients and partners. Both
patients and partners live in a shadow of death a year after
surgery and need information, support, communication and
assistance during the illness trajectory. Nurses have to be
family care oriented and assess the partner’s need as well as the patient’s. Support groups could be an additional tool for
information, communication and support with a possibility
to meet others in a similar situation. Future studies need to
evaluate the impact of information and support groups for
patients treated for colorectal cancer and their partners.