Colorectal cancer is the 2nd and 3rd most common cancer in respectively women and men, of which about 40% is located in the rectum. The gold standard treatment for rectal cancer (RC) is a low anterior resection, combined with chemoradiotherapy. However, this treatment will negatively impact different aspects of bowel function and the patients' quality of life. These bowel symptoms often remain prevalent, even at 12 months after RC treatment. The aim of this study is to identify the factors contributing to persistent bowel symptoms and their long-term impact on quality of life following treatment for rectal cancer 12 month post-surgery or post-stoma closure. These insights are crucial in developing an effective care approach, as they assist us in determining when specific evaluations should be conducted and which treatments should be applied at different stages.