Colorectal cancer is Singapore’s second most common incident cancer and the second most common cancer-causing death. It is also the leading cancer that affects Singaporean women and men in roughly equal numbers. Yet there is limited research on patients’ experiences of colorectal cancer in Singapore. This study aims to fill this gap through establishing an in-depth understanding of Singaporeans’ experiences of the journey of having colorectal cancer.

This project is part of the Health Experiences Singapore (HEXI-SG) initiative, a collaboration between CRiHSP and the NUHS/NUS Department/Division of Family Medicine for the creation and curation of repository of patient experiences for self-care and patient and public empowerment, research, training of health professionals, and quality improvement.

We will employ the Health Experiences Insights (HEXI) methodology, an internationally renowned, state-of-the-art qualitative research and dissemination method. This is the first time this research methodology is being used in Singapore. Key components of the HEXI methodology applied to colorectal cancer include:

1. Video- or audio-recorded narrative interviews with at least 30 people from a wide range of backgrounds and having had a colorectal cancer diagnosis at least 12 months ago;
2. Producing a publicly accessible website highlighting the diversity of experiences across patients’ journeys with colorectal cancer and illustrated with ~250 video, audio, and written interview excerpts.

Our Singapore website will join the 14 other HEXI International country-specific websites, sharing patient journeys from around the world for more than 180 health conditions, including colorectal cancer.

Findings from this study will help improve colorectal cancer patient care and their quality of life and may contribute to improved survival rates. We expect the HEXI-SG website will reach and inform patients, caregivers, health care providers, health care students and policy makers.