Background:

the probability of acquiring colorectal cancer in Cuba throughout life is four to six percent. Approximately 80 % of cases are sporadic, but 20% have a genetic influence.

Objective:

to evaluate the strategy of self-care in the elderly with colorectal cancer in the community.

Method:

intervention and development study was carried out, which shows the strategy of self-care in older adults with colorectal cancer in the community contextualized in the Dr. Rudesindo Antonio García del Rijo Polyclinic of the Municipality and Province of Sancti Spíritus in the period 2007-2017. The used variables were level of information of family doctors, self-care, health status, prolongation of survival, pain relief. Structured interview to older adults with colorectal cancer was used to know the improvement of the state of health, after applying the strategy, population proportions were compared by McNemar test.

Results:

significant changes were achieved in the level of information of family doctors at the end of the training program obtained 78.37 % which shows an acceptable level. 36.62 % of the health status of the elderly was good; self-care was achieved in an acceptable way in 44.82 %. The prolongation of the survival after applying the strategy was 49.13 %. The pain relief was 76.72 %.

Conclusions:

the evaluation of the self-care strategy in the elderly with colorectal cancer was achieved, which includes actions and activities that favor the achievement of significant changes in self-care.

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