Putting evidence in to practice®: Evidence-based interventions for the prevention and management of constipation in patients with cancer

Abstract

Constipation is a major source of distress for patients with cancer, significantly affecting quality of life. It can be secondary to disease sequelae, side effects of treatment, or preexisting conditions. It often is unrecognized, underassessed, and ineffectively managed. Nurses play a key role in the prevention and management of constipation and need evidence-based interventions. This article summarizes the existing research evidence for constipation interventions and identifies gaps. Many of the strategies have been evaluated in non oncology populations; researchers should evaluate their effectiveness in oncology populations.