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 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.
If You Need Medical Care and Have an Ostomy
You probably have different health care teams that help care for you. Let them know about your ostomy. If you need to go to the hospital, take your ostomy supplies with you. The hospital might not have the same type you use.
Do not assume that all hospital staff know a lot about ostomies. Depending on the type of ostomy you have, you may need to do some explaining and teaching. Remember it might be a hospital where ostomy patients are rare, or you might need care for problems not related to your ostomy. Do not let the hospital staff do anything you think may be harmful. For example, if you have a tracheostomy, make sure they know the specific types of equipment you use. Or, if you have a colostomy or ileostomy, do not let them give you laxatives, give an enema through your stoma or rectum, or use a rectal thermometer. If you’re in doubt about any procedure, ask to talk to your doctor first.
Also ask to have the following information listed on your chart:
- Type of ostomy you have
- What part of your body has been removed (if any has)
- Details of your management routine and the equipment and products used
- Procedures to be avoided
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
American Thoracic Society. Living with a tracheostomy. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;194:5-6. Accessed at https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/tracheostomy-in-adults-2.pdf on October 2, 2019.
Hollister. Caring for your child with a colostomy. Accessed at https://www.hollister.com/~/media/files/pdfs–for–download/ostomy–care/caring–for–your–child–with–ostomy_923057-0318.pdf on October 2, 2019.
Hollister. Caring for your loved one with a colostomy. Accessed at https://www.hollister.com/~/media/files/pdfs–for–download/ostomy–care/caring–for–a–loved–one–with–ostomy_923058-0318.pdf on October 2, 2019.
United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA). Living with an ostomy. Accessed at https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Living-With-An-Ostomy-Brochure.pdf on October 2, 2019.
United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA). Living with an ostomy: FAQs. Accessed at https://www.ostomy.org/living-with-an-ostomy/ on October 2, 2019.
Last Revised: October 2, 2019
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.