---
title: The Nurse’s Role in Colorectal Cancer Care
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/the-nurses-role-in-colorectal-cancer-care/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-03-16
date_modified: 2026-03-16
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 1683
reading_time: 9 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/the-nurses-role-in-colorectal-cancer-care/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BSN-Degree-Students-in-Clinical-Lab.webp"
categories:
  - "Health & Wellness"
topic:
  - Nursing
  - Patient Care
---

# The Nurse’s Role in Colorectal Cancer Care

![BSN Degree Students in Clinical Lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BSN-Degree-Students-in-Clinical-Lab.webp)

According to the 
[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/statistics/index.html)
, colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the
United States, due to it often going undetected until advanced stages because of
 stigma and a lack of screening. Nurses at every level play a key role in the
care of their patients with colorectal cancer, whether that be by educating
themselves, sharing critical prevention and early detection information, or
providing support. 

Here, we will highlight some of the
[clinical knowledge](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
needed by those like you in the nursing field when caring for patients with
colorectal cancer and how to bridge the gaps in care so you can become the most
effective advocates for your patients. 

## The Nursing Profession at Each Level 

### Primary Prevention: Early Detection and Screening 

The 
[progression of colorectal cancer](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14501-colorectal-colon-cancer)
 often begins with the development of precancerous polyps. Though it may not
cause symptoms right away, clinical intervention at this time can stop the
cancer before it even starts. According to the 
[U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14501-colorectal-colon-cancer)
, most people who have a family history of colon cancer or polyps should begin 
regular screening starting at age 45, or earlier. 

![Nursing Students Earning a Nursing Degree](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Nursing-Students-Earning-a-Nursing-Degree.webp?w=1024)

Nurses are the bridge between guidelines and patient action, so communication is
key. Patients often cite fear or lack of information as reasons for avoiding
screening. As trusted healthcare professionals, you as the nurse can be a 
calming and informative support resource for your patients and help them choose
the most appropriate test to diagnose colorectal cancer, as screening is the
most effective way to detect colorectal cancer early. 

There are several screening options available, including: 

**Colonoscopy**: A test which allows for a visual examination of the entire
colon and rectum, and polyps can be removed during the procedure. 

**Stool-based Tests: **Non-invasive tests, such as FIT (Fecal Immunochemical
Test) or gFOBT (guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test) that can detect hidden
blood in the stool. 

**Cologuard (mt-sDNA): **A multi-target stool DNA test that can detect blood and
alter DNA in stool samples. 

**Flexible Sigmoidoscopy:** A procedure that examines the lower part of the
colon. 

Each option has its set of advantages and disadvantages, so patient preference,
risk factors, and access to care all play a role in determining which is the
most appropriate screening method for you. Nurses play a vital role in
explaining these options clearly, addressing any patient concerns, and ensuring
that they understand the preparation required for each test. 

It is important to remember that nurses are educators who teach their
communities about healthy lifestyle choices. When discussing colorectal cancer, 
you can seize opportunities to initiate conversations with patients about risk
reduction strategies, dispel myths, provide accurate information, and help
individuals take the necessary steps to prevent the disease. 

While some risk factors for colorectal cancer cannot be changed, like age and
family history of the disease, many others are lifestyle related. As educators,
nurses can help patients understand and modify these factors, including: 

**Diet: **[A diet](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12285478/) high in
red and processed meats and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can
increase risk. Promoting balanced nutrition is a cornerstone of preventative
care. 

**Physical Inactivity:** Regular physical activity can decrease one’s risk of
developing colorectal cancer. Nurses can encourage their patients to incorporate
 exercise into their daily routines. 

**Drinking and Smoking: **According to the 
[American Cancer Society](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html)
, people who have smoked tobacco for a long time or those who partake in
moderate to heavy alcohol consumption as more likely to develop and die from
colorectal cancer compared to those who do not. Quitting drinking and smoking
can have many health benefits, including a lower risk of colorectal cancer.  

### Secondary Prevention: Coordination and Follow-Up 

Secondary prevention for nurses is all about ensuring the screening process is
completed. This includes providing clear instructions for preparation,
scheduling procedures, and managing any necessary follow-up. 

Nurses must be able to explain the different screening options, clarify
guidelines, and ease anxieties associated with these procedures. You will be the
ones ensuring that patients understand the “how” and “why” behind screening. 

As coordinators, nurses often schedule appointments, provide pre-procedure
instructions, and ensure patients have necessary support systems in place. You
will navigate the complexities of healthcare systems for your patients to help
make screening accessible to all. 

In some settings, nurses also are the ones who administer stool-based tests,
provide instructions or sample collections, and process the samples for
laboratory analysis. If a stool test returns a positive result, it is also the
nurse’s job to help patients move quickly into a diagnostic colonoscopy, as a
critical aspect of secondary prevention is follow-up. 

![BSN Program Students in Simulation Lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BSN-Program-Students-in-Simulation-Lab.webp?w=990)

As their nurse, you must make sure that patients receive their results,
understand the implications, and adhere to recommendations for any further
testing or surveillance. Receiving a positive result can be anxiety-provoking,
so it is also up to the nurses to provide emotional support and outline any next
steps. 

### Tertiary Prevention: Support and Treatment 

For patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, nurses provide unwavering support
throughout their treatment journey in various ways, including: 

**Treatment Navigation: **You will help your patients understand the diagnosis
and available treatment options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, etc. 
You can provide clarity on potential side effects and what to expect. Nurses
also coordinate care among multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a seamless
experience. 

**Symptom Management: **Managing pain, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms
associated with cancer, and its treatment is one of the many responsibilities of
a nurse. You must use your clinical skills and knowledge to enhance patient
comfort and quality of life. 

**Emotional Support: **A cancer diagnosis impacts every aspect of a patient’s
life, as well as their families. Nurses provide emotional support for their
patients by listening to concerns, answering questions, and connecting them with
any resources that may make them feel a little more comfortable. 

**Palliative and End-of-Life Care: **When cancer progresses, nurses also provide
compassionate palliative care, focusing on symptom relief and comfort. In
end-of-life care, you will be the one on the frontlines offering respect and
support for your patients and their loved ones. 

## Addressing the Gaps 

A common challenge in colorectal cancer prevention comes from a disconnect
between clinical guidelines and patient action. Even when a nurse provides a
recommendation, there are barriers that can prevent a patient from following 
through. To be effective, you must be able to identify these obstacles and use
their clinical competence to help patients overcome them. 

### Identifying Patient Barriers 

[Barriers to colorectal cancer screening](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39716817/)
 are rarely just about forgetting an appointment. They are often rooted in
socioeconomic, psychological, or educational factors such as: 

**Fear and Anxiety:** Many patients avoid screening because they 
[fear a cancer diagnosis](https://investors.guardanthealth.com/press-releases/press-releases/2025/New-Guardant-HealthHarris-Poll-Survey-Highlights-Patient-Fear-and-Anxiety-as-Major-Barriers-to-Colorectal-Cancer-Screening-but-Blood-Test-Option-Offers-Hope-for-Change/default.aspx)
 or perceive the procedure as being invasive, painful, or embarrassing. 

**Logistical and Financial Constraints: **Lack of transportation, inability to
take time off of work for the preparation of the surgery and recovery, or
concerns about out-of-pocket costs can prevent patients from getting checked. 

**Low Health Literacy:** Patients may not understand the difference between
screening tests and diagnostic tests, leading them to believe that they don’t 
need checkups if they “feel fine.” 

**Cultural Stigma:** In some communities, discussing bowel habits or colorectal
health is considered taboo, which prevents open dialogue with healthcare
providers. 

### Strategies for Nurses 

To successfully bridge this gap, nurses must be proactive and individualize
their approach to each patient. First, nurses should make sure their patients
understand that colorectal cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages.
Highlighting the fact that “feeling healthy” is the best time to screen can
shift a patient’s perspective on the necessity of the test. 

![AZCN Nursing School Students](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AZCN-Nursing-School-Students.webp?w=1024)

Regarding the preparation for tests like colonoscopy, nurses can improve
compliance by providing clear, low-literacy instructions and tips for managing
the prep comfortably. Nurses can also offer other options to patients who 
decline a colonoscopy, giving them the power to choose what they see as the best
 fit for them. By knowing there are other options, nurses can increase the
likelihood that patients complete at least one form of screening. 

Lastly, nurses are their patients’ biggest advocates, connecting them with their
doctors, hospital social workers, financial counselors, and anything else that
may help them address any issues they may be faced with. As trusted individuals,
nurses can motivate their patients to take the steps needed to get screened. 

## Call to Action 

Colorectal cancer is a disease where nursing intervention can change a patient’s
life trajectory. By acting as not only care providers, but educators and
coordinators, you as a nurse can help move us closer to a world where colorectal
 cancer is caught early or prevented entirely. 

At Arizona College of Nursing, we urge our students to
[view every patient interaction as an opportunity](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
to build health through engagement and education. Don’t just wait for a patient
to bring up the topic. As a health advocate, you can teach them about the
importance of early screening and show them the benefits. The entire nursing
community must remain proactive if we want to reduce the burden of colorectal
cancer. 

**Categories:** Health & Wellness