Self-Management of Colon and Rectal Cancer Patients Receiving Oral Chemotherapy

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a message-based intervention on self-management among patients with colorectal cancer receiving oral chemotherapy treatment. H1. Message intervention is effective in the self-management of colon and rheum cancer patients receiving oral chemotherapy. H2. Message intervention is not effective in the self-management of colon and rheum cancer patients receiving oral chemotherapy. Methods: This is a longitudinal, randomized controlled experimental study to be conducted at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital over a 10-week follow-up period. A total of 40 patients (20 in each group) will be included, with randomization based on age, educational level, and treatment protocol. Data will be collected using the Personal Information Form, Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (MASES), Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, the Short Message Evaluation Questionnaire, and the Patient Satisfaction Scale. Interviews will be conducted at baseline, on the 7th day of medication use, and during the 2nd, 6th, and 9th weeks. Results and Conclusion: Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, Cochrane Q test, repeated measures ANOVA, and regression analysis will be employed. Effect size will be calculated using Cohen's d, and the significance level will be set at p \< 0.05.

Inclusion Criteria: Literate and able to speak Turkish Diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer (either newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed) and aware of their diagnosis Able to use a telephone and reachable by phone Newly starting oral chemotherapy treatment At any stage of treatment (patients receiving additional IV chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy alongside oral chemotherapy will also be included) Diagnosed with cancer at any stage (Stage I-IV) Aged 21 years or older Exclusion Criteria: Patients who cannot be contacted by phone Patients with an ECOG performance status of 4 or higher Patients with hearing or vision impairments Illiterate patients Patients who cannot use a smartphone Patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders requiring medication or hospitalization Patients who do not consent to participate in the study