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March is National Colorectal Cancer Month. The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) wants to make it easy for you to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in your local community during March and all year long. Opportunities to spread the word are readily available at work, in shopping malls, in churches and synagogues, at health clubs, and anywhere that people gather.
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Nobody ever died of embarrassment, or so the saying goes. But people do die of colorectal cancer, more than 56,000 every year.
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By Susan Gee I am writing this on behalf of my lifelong friend, Linda, who has survived her fourth bout of colon cancer (fourth stage). We have been friends since the first grade and she has always valued my opinions and suggestions – together we strove through this difficult time and as of today she is cancer-free.
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It's normal to worry if your doctor suspects you may have a growth in your colon. You may be anxious about whether the growth is cancerous. You may also have questions about the treatment that could lie ahead or your prospects for recovery. But the fact is most colon growths can be removed swiftly. And, even if the growth is cancerous, with early medical treatment your outlook is good.
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I must point out that the important word in the title of this article is living. People are given a second chance at life when the surgeon provides them with an ostomy. It is not the end of the world!
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You need to empty a drainable pouch when it gets to be about one-third full. This keeps the pouch from bulging under your clothes. It also helps prevent leaking and odor. To empty your pouch, follow the steps below in order.
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You were given a stoma (new opening for stool to pass from the body) during surgery. Stool starts to pass from the stoma soon after surgery. That means you'll need to learn how to change your pouch before you go home. A drainable pouch needs to be changed usually every 5–7 days. To change your pouch, follow the steps below. Start by gathering what you'll need:
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