May Issue is now in PDF form

May Issue

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

May Issue 2008

April Issue 2008

How to DressTransparent Pouch Bags

Cover for Transparent Colostomy Bags

Colostomy bags can come in two colors: the opaque and the transparent.

There are occasions when colostomates are confronted whether to expose their colostomy bags in front of people especially when they are using transparent ones. There are already several companies abroad that offers pouch bag coverings that has two purposes: to hide the stool and likewise minimize the noise when the stomach seems to be grumbling.

I have been using both opaque and transparent pouch bags. Each bag can be costly and their is no reason not to use the transparent one's.

Here below, I would like to share how I dress the transparent colostomy pouch bag. I usually dont cover my transparent colobags at home but when I have to leave the house, I have to use the black dressing not to expose it to other people who may be ignorant of what a colostomy intervention is.


sample transparent colostomy bags


Materials: black cloth porous and thin, scissors, needle and thread


Using a pen, trace the shape of the transparent bag in the black cloth leaving an allowance of 2 mm or more so that there is space when the transparent bag gets inflated with gas.

sew the lines that have been traced with the given allowance.


and afterwards invert the black cloth it so that the sewed thread is now hidden inside. Trace the middle and cut with scissors again with the proper allowance.


get ready to insert the transparent pouch bag inside the sewed black cloth; fit well so that it is not too loose or too tight. I use one big clip that holds the pouch and the cloth at the top most portion so that the cloth is not easily pulled out.

If the cloth will exactly fit the colostomy bag, there will be problems when the bag begins to bloat, so it is advisable that there is enough allowance for the cover to avoid this problem.

It is also advised that the bottom part of the black cloth where the colostomy bag is clipped should have some open and free space. This will allow some accessibility when disposing stool and clipping it back again.

Colon Cancer

What is a colon and colon cancer?

"The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Malignant tumors of the large intestine are called cancers. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can be easily removed during colonoscopy and are not life-threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant (cancerous) over time. Most of the cancers of the large intestine are believed to have developed from polyps. Cancer of the colon and rectum (also referred to as colorectal cancer) can invade and damage adjacent tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away and spread to other parts of the body (such as liver and lung) where new tumors form. The spread of colon cancer to distant organs is called metastasis of the colon cancer. Once metastasis has occurred in colorectal cancer, a complete cure of the cancer is unlikely.

Globally, cancer of the colon and rectum is the third leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth leading cause of cancer in females. The frequency of colorectal cancer varies around the world".2

Since colonoscopy is the golden standard procedure for detecting colon cancer, it is advised to have it at the age of 40 years old above, and people with 1st degree relatives that had colon cancer since colon cancer is hereditary.

1 - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/
2 - http://www.medicinenet.com/colon_cancer/article.htm

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

The Ostomy News Notes Logo

1. OSTOMY - the title is written in bold blue letters representing the color of peace and hope promoting the advocacy for people as that quality of life is possible after surgical interventions.

2. News Notes - the contribution that this newsletter wants to play in spreading awareness for people ostomates.

3. Colostomy bag - the pouch bag is representative of the necessity of the ostomy appliances ostomates use.

4. The Philippine Flag - the mark of the Ostomates in the Philippines. It is envisioned that the newsletter can unite ostomates all over the country to share their stories and experiences and form strong support groups.

5. The Pen - the tool in order to write down our happy and sad stories, successes and failures.

6. The wheelchair - caters to persons with disabilities too who are also ostomates at the same time.

Colostomy Support Bag

Here is one way to protect our colostomy bags especially for active people who have to avoid drooping pouch bags.


The colostomy bag is in a horizontal position. Wrap around the support cloth along your waist, and insert the pouch bag inside the hidden pocket. Use a velcro to close the colostomy support bag.

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

March 2008 - Issue No. 3

March Issue 2008
You can email your suggestions to improve the news notes further.
ostomynewsnotes@gmail.com
Salamat po!