Bowel Management: Constipation among Patients with Cancer

Constipation has a negative effect on patients with cancer and their families. It negatively affects the quality of life terms of physical, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. The aim of this paper was to review the studies that addressed constipation among patients with cancer and to explore its influence on the quality of life and wellbeing for patients and their families. Completed studies were identified through systematic search using Cumulative index for Nursing and Applied Health Literature, EBSCO Host, Ovid Journal and PubMed. This search located the studies that were published between 1989 and 2015 about constipation effect, pathophysiology, assessment and management. The review identified 44 studies and indicated that constipation has negative effect on QOL among patient with cancer and their families. Various assessment and management constipation tools and strategies were used according to patient’s health condition. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methodologies were used to manage constipation. Appropriate assessment has a positive impact on effective management of constipation among patients with cancer; that may help improve the quality of life. Nurses play a significant role in performing comprehensive assessment strategies to detect the risk factor for constipation and applying the prevention precaution to reduce opportunity of its occurrence. Nurses should perform constipation management strategies that include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.