Support, reassurance and practical information to anyone who may be about to have, or already has a colostomy. Appropriate support and advice is also provided to families and carers both before and after surgery.

IA is a UK registered charity whose primary aim is to help people who have to undergo surgery that involves the removal of their colon (known as a colectomy) and the creation of either an ileostomy or an ileo-anal pouch.

This page www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2924 tells you about colostomies for bowel cancer.  Only some people with colorectal cancer need to have a colostomy. Most of these will be temporary. They will be closed a few months later, when the bowel has fully healed. You can find information on what the colostomy is like, looking after your stoma, the stoma nurse and going home.