Patients with colorectal cancer expressed a loss of adulthood related to a loss of professional and sexual identity, dignity, privacy, independence, and ability to socialise.

METHODS Indepth narrative interviews were done in patients’ homes for all but 3 patients, who were interviewed in a support group office. Patients were invited to tell their stories from the point at which they first suspected a problem and were then asked semistructured questions on several illness related issues. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed using the constant comparative method.