Objective To describe anticipated supportive post-discharge navigation service needs and examine associated factors among postoperative patients with colorectal cancer and comorbid diabetes discharged home. Methods This cross-sectional study included 212 patients discharged home from a tertiary hospital in Shanghai between May and October 2025. Questionnaires were completed on the day of discharge. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, a self-developed supportive navigation service needs questionnaire, and measures of readiness for hospital discharge, patient activation, social support, and illness perception. Random forest and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses with resampling procedures were used for exploratory variable selection, followed by multiple linear regression with bootstrap confidence intervals. Results The median supportive navigation service needs score was 148.00 (interquartile range, 140.25–160.00). The highest-scoring items concerned information about further treatment, glycemic management, and dietary guidance. In the adjusted model, female sex and diabetes duration of more than 10 years were associated with lower needs scores than male sex and diabetes duration of 5 years or less, respectively. Greater readiness for hospital discharge and social support were associated with lower needs scores, whereas greater perceived illness threat was associated with higher scores. Patient activation was not significantly associated with needs in the adjusted model. Conclusions Patients with colorectal cancer and comorbid diabetes discharged home after surgery reported substantial anticipated needs for navigation support. These findings may inform post-discharge needs assessment and service development. Interpretation should remain cautious because the outcome was measured using a self-developed, study-specific composite needs index.
