The experience of dealing with defecation dysfunction by changing the eating behaviours of people with rectal cancer following sphincter‐saving surgery: A qualitative study

Abstract

Three major themes, namely "have motivations to change diet"; "need strategies to change diet" and "face barriers to change diet" were generated along with 12 subthemes. Overall, needing to change one's dietary behaviour is the most important theme in addressing defecation dysfunction in patients following sphincter-saving surgery. Future studies need to focus more on the specific relationship between different food types and the degree of defecation dysfunction. Systematic, scientific and continuous instructions on eating behaviour are in great need for patients after sphincter-saving surgery.