Background
Survival rates from colorectal cancer are rising. Studies suggest most people return to near pre-diagnosis status following surgery; however most have been small scale or narrowly focused e.g. physical recovery. There is a need for a large, longitudinal study exploring impact of cancer and treatment on everyday life and how this affects recovery of health and wellbeing of colorectal cancer patients.

Aims
To establish patterns of recovery of health and wellbeing; explore what influences this; determine who is most at risk of poor or protracted recovery; chart health service use; explore use of self-management techniques.

Methods
A prospective, longitudinal cohort study of adults from 30 cancer centres across Great Britain diagnosed with non-metastatic colorectal cancer (Dukes stage I-III) and undergoing surgery with curative intent. Questionnaires are administered prior to surgery and 3, 9, 15 and 24 months later assessing health and wellbeing, symptoms, social support, health service use, self-efficacy to self-manage.

Results
1350 eligible people attended clinics in the 30 recruiting centres between November 2010 - March 2012. 1051 (78%) consented; of which 67% gave full consent and 11% consented to medical details being collected but without completing questionnaires. 13% declined and 9% were missed. Baseline data are reported describing the characteristics of the cohort and association between outcome measures.
Conclusions
The findings at baseline will inform health care providers about problems experienced prior to surgery and identify areas for supportive interventions. Follow-up data will identify what helps or hinders rapid and effective recovery and identify areas for intervention to support the growing number of cancer survivors.

Acknowledgement: Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support

Contact: msrg@soton.ac.uk

NB: We are in the process of analysing the baseline data. If this abstract is accepted, we would welcome the opportunity to update it in the next few months.