| Bowel cancer | Faecal Occult Blood Tests | Diagnosing bowel cancer |
| Treatment for bowel cancer | Having a stoma |
This information has been reviewed by:
Dr Michael Jefford MBBS, MPH, MHlthsevMt, PhD, MRACMA, FRACP
Consultant Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Some people who have surgery for bowel cancer need to have a stoma.
Sometimes, after bowel cancer has been removed it is not possible to reconnect the bowel as it was before. The body still needs to get rid of bowel motions. The surgeon can make a small hole in your abdomen and bring one end of the bowel out through the hole and sew it to the skin. This makes a stoma or ‘ostomy'.
An ostomy from the colon is called a colostomy. An opening from the ileum is called an ileostomy.
A stoma is roughly the size of a 20 cent coin. It is usually located on the front of the abdomen, half way between the belly button and the hip bone. It is soft, moist and red and is made of the same type of tissue as the inside of the mouth.
There is no feeling in the stoma itself but the skin around it has feeling. The stoma may be at skin level or raised a little. When the bowel acts, wind and bowel motions come out through the stoma so a small, disposable, flat plastic bag-often called a colostomy bag-is worn over the stoma to catch the waste.
The back of the bag sticks firmly to the skin around the stoma and provides a leak-proof, odour-proof system. When a bag has been used, it is thrown out and a new one is fitted.
Some people don't like to wear bags. You can learn how to manage by giving yourself a type of enema into the colostomy daily or every other day. Some people are able to wear a type of tampon or plug in their colostomy to stop wind and bowel motions escaping. These methods are not suitable for an ileostomy because its output is runnier.
Usually there is a small chance you could need a stoma. Most surgeons will talk about this before surgery, just in case this turns out to be needed. The surgeon may ask a stomal therapy nurse to see you before the operation. The nurse will discuss the best place for it to be located.
Stomal therapy nurses have special training. They will answer your questions about the surgery and looking after the stoma. They will help you adjust to having a stoma and regain confidence. They can give you care and support after leaving hospital.
Stomal therapy nurses work in many hospitals. In the community, some nursing services have stomal therapy nurses. Many ostomy associations, which supply the bags, can put you in touch with a stomal therapy nurse. Your doctor and the Cancer Council Helpline (13 11 20) can help you find a stomal therapy nurse.
Having a stoma, even just for a short time, is a big change in a person's life and takes some adjustment. Your stomal therapy nurse will discuss all aspects of living with a stoma and provide you with booklets and videos if you wish.
Call the Cancer Council Helpline if you would like to arrange to speak to another person with a stoma.
Your family may also need information and support, and the stomal therapy nurse will be happy to include them in these discussions.
You will be advised to join an ostomy association so you can obtain free bags and related products. There are support groups for people of all ages. Support groups for young people up to the age of 35 are available in each state, and other support groups are available for people over the age of 35. Contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for the association nearest you.
