Health Literacy of Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Treatment: An Integrative Review

Abstract: Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide, excluding skin cancer, and its incidence has been increasing among younger populations, indicating the need for strategies to improve healthcare delivery. Patients with colorectal cancer face different challenges during oncological treatment and follow-up care. To provide care from the perspective of the patient-centered model, it is essential to promote patients’ health literacy regarding oncological treatment, in order to support the adoption of health behaviors and informed decision-making in the use of health services, which may impact health outcomes and society as a whole. Thus, this study aims to analyze the scientific production related to the health literacy of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing oncological treatment. This is an Integrative Review, grounded in Evidence-Based Practice, which will be conducted in six stages: identification of the theme and selection of the research question; definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria; categorization of studies; evaluation of the sample included in the review; interpretation of results; and synthesis of the main evidence from the analyzed articles, guided by the research question: “What is the scientific evidence on health literacy among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing oncological treatment?” Searches will be conducted in the following databases: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science (WOS), and the National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health (PubMed), according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information from the sample will be analyzed regarding identification, methodological characteristics, assessment of methodological rigor, and results, using a standardized form. The findings are expected to contribute to improving the health literacy of patients with colorectal cancer during oncological treatment, enhancing healthcare team practices, and identifying knowledge gaps. Keywords: Health Literacy. Colorectal Neoplasms. Patients. Integrative Oncology.