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It can take a while for a cancer patient to adapt to living with a stoma, this is not an easy process, so it is important to seek support and guidance from CANSA.

What is a Stoma?

• ‘Stoma’ is a Greek word meaning ‘opening’.
• If a patient has a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy operation as part of treatment, the end of the bowel is brought out into an opening on the abdomen. The opening is referred to as a stoma.
• The opening is made by the surgeon into the digestive or urinary tract for the purpose of waste elimination.
• Stoma types include: a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy.
• A stoma may be temporary or permanent - some people have a temporary colostomy (an artificial opening into the colon), made during their treatment for bowel cancer. The colostomy is closed a few months later when the bowel has fully healed. Other people have a permanent colostomy or ileostomy (artificial opening into the ilium or small bowel).

Stoma Support

How we can Help

We offer pre- and post-operative counselling, as well as support groups via our Stoma Clinics and specially trained nursing staff. Advice is given to patients & families and they are empowered with coping skills to deal with living with a stoma day-to-day.

CANSA’s stoma service has an excellent offering of cost-effective stoma products and accessories and provides patient support.

We recently introduced our CANSA Tele Stoma Support Service where online consultations for stoma patients and their families are offered to assist with challenges or stoma queries. Book an appointment via the CANSA Help Desk on 0800 22 66 22.

Resources

Changing or emptying your ostomy pouch in public can seem daunting - here are some tips to help ostomates cope a little easier…

Ostomy Tips & Tricks

Testimonies

A stoma patient, living in a remote area, recently responded with thanks, after being assisted through the CANSA Tele Stoma Service with regards to changing the stoma bag and being given advice with regards to treatment of side effects: “You really helped me because I didn’t know anything, and the consultation really helped me so much. And now I know at least how to do something and if I need help, I can ask you. Now I have a clue what to do when I have a rash.”

Ron Mulder, wrote after CANSA assisted his sister with stoma advice / support: "CANSA - caring, considerate, nurturing (comforting), shepherding attention. Ensuring the feeling that what is sought, can be found and all will turn out for the best, giving hope. A wonderful community to turn to."

J A and S F Pretorius: "To Whom It May Concern: We would just like to convey our appreciation for the professional service that we received.  There is never a hiccup with ordering our stoma equipment, and we know that the order will be spot on. We really appreciate the service that we get from CANSA. Thank you."

Olga van Aswegen: "I just want to thank CANSA for the excellent service over these past years.  Every time  I phone for some donation bags staff are always helpful and make it their priority to help me as soon as possible.  I'm the gardian of a 4 year old who has bladder cancer and uses a urine bag. The state does not supply us with enough urine bags and that's why CANSA helps me.  I do not have the finances to buy privately.  The service I'm getting from CANSA is absolutely the best I have ever seen. Thanks!"

Joyce Anderson: "I had the operation in June 2008 and have had the stoma since then, so it has been a long time. I have had excellent stoma service and there is always somebody to help with questions and any problems that I might have."

We are  a proud partner of Vera SA Ostomy Underwear, and stock their products at our Care Centres in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Durban and Cape Town.

Ordering Stoma Products & Accessories

• All stoma products, accessories and linen savers can be purchased at reduced prices at most local CANSA Care Centres and from our hubs in Pretoria and Cape Town.
• Products can be couriered to your door or the closest CANSA Care Centre.
• Medical aid and cash clients are catered for.

Our CANSA Stoma Clinics may be contacted for advice:

• CANSA Cape Metro Care Centre
  Tel: 021 689 5347, address: 7 Dunbar Avenue, Athlone
• CANSA Pretoria Care Centre
  Tel: 012 329 3036, address: 32 Lys Street, Rietfontein

Or book an appointment via the CANSA Help Desk on 0800 22 66 22 with our Tele Stoma staff.