People with bladder cancer who get a permanent urostomy experience changes in their lifestyle, mental health, social interactions and family relationships, according to a recent review published in the journal Nursing Open.
Radical cystectomy — the removal of the entire bladder — is a surgery used to treat serious bladder cancer. It helps patients live longer and lowers the chance of the cancer coming back or spreading. After the surgery, patients cannot urinate the normal way. Instead, they have a small opening in the abdomen called a urostomy. Urine goes into a stoma bag, which a patient must wear for the rest of their life.
Wearing a stoma bag can make people feel less confident. Some people avoid social activities because they feel embarrassed or worried about what others think.
Daily life can also become harder. Patients may worry about the bag leaking. They might not sleep well because they need to check it often. Some people also stop doing certain physical activities because they are afraid of problems.
Relationships can change too. Some patients and their partners feel unsure about being close because of the stoma. This can make them feel lonely or distant.
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Patients often wish for more support from family, friends and society, but can feel sad, guilty, or like a burden to their families, especially because of costs and care needs.
Some patients also struggle with religious or cultural practices, which can add more stress.
Another issue patients experience is feeling they do not fully understand their condition, which leads to fear about the future. When they leave the hospital, many feel unready to care for their stoma on their own and want more education and support from healthcare workers.
Over time, many patients adjust. They begin to accept their new bodies and find ways to live well. Some even develop healthier habits and feel closer to their families, finding new meaning in life.
“Our research findings indicate that effective strategies for addressing physiological challenges and social isolation require a multifaceted approach,” the study’s authors said. Important steps include giving emotional support through therapy or support groups to help patients accept their bodies, teaching proper stoma care to avoid problems and encouraging open communication between partners with the help of sexual health counseling.
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