Brief Summary

After surgery for rectal cancer, many people undergo changes in bowel habits, which may include the need to empty their bowels more often, accidental leakage of stool or gas, the sudden urge to go to the bathroom, and more. The term "Low Anterior Resection Syndrome" or LARS is used to describe these symptoms. LARS has a negative impact on one's quality of life, and can lead to frustration, as there is no single intervention that has proven to be effective for LARS, and each patient has to undergo trial and error to find one's solution. As people struggle with LARS, they describe feeling hopeless and isolated. Peer support is a supportive relationship between individuals who share common experiences or face similar challenges. The goal of our study is to evaluate whether use of an online peer support application with trained mentors who themselves have lived or are living with LARS will empower patients to better manage their LARS symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Official Title

Interactive Online Informational and Peer Support App for Patients With Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS): A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Eligibility Inclusion Criteria

- underwent restorative protectomy for Neo-plastic disease of the rectum
- completed all treatment within the last 3 years
- patients with minor or major LARS as defined with the LARS score.

Eligibility Exclusion Criteria

- Active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Major colonic resection in addition to protectomy
- Cannot be contacted by telephone
- Unable to read and comprehend English/French
- Does not have the appropriate interface to access the app
- Unable to give clear and informed consent