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Cancer and its treatment can change how you think and feel about your body. You may feel sad, angry or worried about any changes to your body. You may have scarring, weight loss, physical discomfort, numbness or other side effects of treatment that can make you feel self conscious or affect your confidence. Talking about how you feel can help you cope. You could talk to someone close to you or you could ask your specialist nurse for help.
If you have a stoma, you may have strong feelings about the sudden and significant change to your body. Over time, and with support from your stoma care nurse specialist, you will learn to adapt to your new body. Getting through the first few weeks can be tough and you may feel like you have a mountain to climb, but remember family, friends and health professionals are there to help you. Until you get used to looking after your stoma, you might worry about smells or leakage.
You may worry that other people can see the pouch through your clothes and you may wonder how other people will respond to your new stoma. Your stoma care nurse specialist can help you with any worries you may have.
