Both patients and partners considered themselves living a
normal life a year after surgery. Their life was influenced by
existential thoughts, their physical condition during treatment
and of attitudes about sharing the illness. This study
highlights that the patients’ physical condition has an impact
on both the patients’ and partners’ professional, social and
intimate life. A future challenge to healthcare personnel is the
obligation to meet the needs of both patients and their
partners on the trajectory of illness and recovery after
treatment of colorectal cancer.