Background: Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer follow standardized care pathways with diagnostic procedures and tailored treatment to ensure high-quality surgical care. The focus is primarily on surgical procedures and outcomes, and patients and healthcare professionals describe shortcomings in individual support and a lack of opportunities for participation.

Aims and Objectives: To describe patient experiences within standardized care pathways for colorectal cancer.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. The study was conducted at a surgery unit in southern Sweden. Convenience sampling was used and included sixteen patients. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed using qualitative conventional content analysis.

Results: Three themes emerged in the analysis: Travelling along the colorectal cancer care pathway, bearing the mark of the disease, and telling one’s story. According to the patients’ narratives, interacting and continuous relationships with healthcare professionals were highlighted as important, feelings such as loneliness and the need for inclusion played a significant role to achieve participation.

Conclusion: There is a discrepancy between the intentions of standardized care pathways and the patients experience within. Despite having access to healthcare professionals during standardized care pathways, patients may still experience feelings of loneliness and exclusion. Continuous contact with a specialist/contact nurse is seen as crucial to facilitate individual support and active participation. These insights underscore the importance of the role of specialist nurses in providing person-centered care within standardized care pathways, in bridging the gaps between clinical practice and patient expectations.