Psychosocial Impact of Ostomies in Women With Colorectal Cancer: An Integrative Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with incidence on the rise, particularly in younger adults. Surgery is a key treatment modality and often results in the construction of an ostomy, either temporary or permanent. This integrative review discusses psychosocial implications of ostomies in women with CRC. A literature review was conducted using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and PubMed. The search included articles published between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022. The search yielded 684 articles, with a total of six included in the final review. Articles were excluded for not being specific to CRC, not being specific to ostomates, lacking data specific to women, and focusing solely on sexual health. The main issues that emerged were the loss of bodily control, impaired social support and acceptance, social limitations, altered body image, and alterations in sense of self. This review found that factors such as time since surgery, age, relationship status, and cultural background may influence the degree of psychosocial impact of ostomies in women with CRC. Given these factors are substantial and multifaceted, future research should be directed at identifying the subset of women with ostomies as a result of CRC with high-risk demographics.