OSTOMATES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Ostomy, stoma, colostomy, ileostomy and other terms may be new words for our readers but they are in daily use for the growing thousands of people mainly affected by cancer of the colon, rectum or bladder and the people and health professionals who care for them.

In medicine, the stoma is a surgically made opening in the abdominal wall. Ostomates are the persons who have a surgical opening specifically the stoma. Usually, they would have a belt and bag contraption around their waste to care for their stoma. You may also see these words being spelled as ostoma and ostomates. Stomas can be temporary or permanent. But surgeons create stoma as a life-saving or life maintaining method to allow the outflow and inflow of substances to and from the intestines, bladder or lungs.

In the Philippines, the most common causes of stomas are cancers of the colon, rectum and bladder. Colon cancer is the sixth most common site of cancer among Filipinos with nearly 3,000 new cases found yearly with another 3,000 cases of rectal and bladder cancer. Cancer of the colon and rectum has been linked to high fat diets and diets rich in red meat. So if a member of your family, whether near or distant, has colon or rectal cancer, you are advised to keep yourself in peaceful harmony with people and the environment. Go to places that are relatively secure and safe. Ride a vehicle always with a seat belt; avoid alcohol while driving and keep cool despite the heavy traffic.

The real key is prevention. However, government and society as a whole has not invested enough in the prevention of diseases and the promotion of health. At the same time, more action and funds are needed to match or double the efforts in the curative field.

As ostomates ourselves, we continuously adjust and learn our new lifestyle. We need to give encouragement to other ostomates across the country and build our own ostomy groups encouraging people with the same situation to move out of their fear, anxiety or depression in returning to the rudiments of daily living.

For families and relatives of ostomates, they are encouraged to give more support and understanding. Ostomates do need to continue with their social life and occupations.

For care givers and health professionals, there should be greater effort to expand ostomy clinics not only in hospitals but also in polyclinics and ambulatory care clinics. Greater concerns can be placed on how to increase access of stomates to care near their workplace and residence. There is a need to tie up with Filipino business community to manufacture our own ostomy contraptions in the future.