Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Chat live online
Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
Donations, website, or event-related assistance
Tobacco-related topics
Volunteer opportunities
Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Colostomy surgery is done for many different diseases and problems. Some colostomies are done because of cancer; others are not. For instance, a child may need one because of a birth defect. Depending on the reason or type of problem, a colostomy may be needed for a short time (temporary) or it may be needed for the rest of a person's life (permanent).
For the thousands of people who have serious digestive diseases, a colostomy can be the start of a new and healthier life. If you’ve had a chronic problem or a life-threatening disease like colorectal cancer, you can look forward to feeling better after you recover from colostomy surgery. You can also look forward to returning to most, if not all of the activities you enjoyed in the past.
This guide will help you better understand colostomy – what it is, why it’s needed, how it affects the normal digestive system, and what changes it can bring to a person’s life.
