Coping with a stoma after bowel cancer
This page has information about coping with a colostomy or ileostomy after bowel cancer. You can find information on
Coping with a stoma after bowel cancer
Some people have a colostomy or ileostomy as part of their treatment for bowel cancer. It can take a while to get used to dealing with a stoma, but there is a lot of support available. Your stoma nurse can help by giving advice and support.
As you learn to manage your stoma, the effect it has on your day to day life should lessen. With time, things like going to work, going out to socialise and taking part in sports and hobbies will feel easier.
It is normal to feel worried about how you will look, and how others may react. There can be practical worries about the bag being noticeable, or smelling. Or you may have emotional worries about your friends or partner rejecting you. Stoma bags are very well designed. They cannot be seen through your clothes and should not smell. If you do notice any smell, talk to your stoma nurse.
Many people find that if they talk openly to close family and friends their fears of rejection disappear. Most people want to understand what is happening so that they can help if they can.
Being diagnosed with cancer and having treatment takes time to come to terms with. It can also be difficult to cope with the physical effects of treatment. If you have had a colostomy or ileostomy as part of your treatment you will have help to deal with this practically and emotionally. There is a lot of support available. Some people have a temporary colostomy made during their treatment for bowel cancer. The colostomy is closed a few months later, when the bowel has fully healed. But some people have a permanent colostomy or ileostomy. It can take a while to get used to dealing with a stoma. Your stoma nurse can help by giving advice and support.
If you need to have a colostomy or ileostomy it is normal to feel worried about how you will look, and how other people may react. While you are in hospital the stoma nurse will teach you how to manage the stoma. It might be helpful for a close family member to be there too, so you both get used to your colostomy or ileostomy and can ask the nurse questions.
Once you get home, help is still available if you need it. You might have problems or questions about looking after and dealing with your stoma. Or you may feel low or depressed. If this happens you could contact
- Your GP
- Your stoma nurse
- One of the bowel cancer organisations
As you learn to look after your stoma, the effect it has on your day to day life should lessen. With time, things like going to work, going out to socialise and taking part in sports and hobbies will feel easier.
Unless your work involves heavy digging, or other kinds of manual work, having a colostomy or ileostomy should not make any difference to your job. If you are not sure about this, ask your stoma nurse for advice.
The stoma won't stop you enjoying your favourite pastimes. All sorts of physical activities are possible - even strenuous exercise and swimming. Your stoma nurse can give you advice on how to protect your stoma. They can also tell you about waterproof bags and seals for swimming and water sports.
You are bound to worry at first about how the stoma will affect your relationships with a partner or with friends. You may have practical worries about the bag being noticeable, or smelling. Or emotional worries about your friends or partner rejecting you.
Stoma bags are very well designed. They can not be seen through your clothes and should not smell. If you do notice any smell, talk to your stoma nurse. Your stoma bag may not fit perfectly and they may recommend a different type.
Many people find that if they talk openly to close family and friends their fears of rejection disappear. Most people want to understand what is happening so that they can help if they can. It may help to read our section on sex, sexuality and cancer in the coping with cancer section of CancerHelp UK.
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