Abstract
Background Rectal resection with total mesorectal excision is a difficult surgery with potential risks of complications. This study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with low rectal cancer who have bowel function disorders equivalent to major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and its risk factors before treatment. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 patients diagnosed with low rectal cancer who had not been treated. Quality of life was assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer's (EORTC) 30-Item Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the LARS scale. Results Fiffty-five (66.3%) patients had moderate/major low anterior resection syndrome, of which 34 (41%) patients had major low anterior resection syndrome. The study implicated that old age, smoking, and alcohol consumption were risk factors associated with high scores on the scale for LARS (p<0.05). Patients with low rectal cancer had low overall QoL score. In the symptom area of increased financial hardship scores, factors that adversely affected the poor quality of life in patients with low rectal cancer were fatigue and bowel dysfunction with p<0.05. Conclusion The percentage of rectal cancer patients with low anterior resection syndrome was high, and the associated risk factors were old age, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Before treatment, the physical and mental health of patients with low rectal cancer with major low anterior resection syndrome was very poor.