Self-management experience in adults with colostomies due to colorectal cancer

Facing a chronic disease such as colorectal cancer with a colostomy is a process that represents changes in people's quality of life. Addressing this experience is an enriching process that strengthens self-management interventions.

To describe the self-management experience of adults with colostomy due to colorectal cancer.

A qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenological approach was conducted. Ten people over 18 years of age with colorectal cancer with temporary or permanent colostomies of at least 6 months' evolution participated voluntarily in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using the Colaizzi analysis method.

Eight categories are associated with the phenomenon, and thirty nominal codes represent the experience. The spiritual dimension, social support, coping with colostomy-related difficulties, and experiencing psychosocial changes were identified as factors that influence self-management, as well as practices and behaviors, such as self-management skills, living a new reality, adapting to the colostomy, and support and learning from the healthcare team and system.

The difficulties experienced, family and social support, social effects, and spiritual support are consistent with the literature. This research highlights the difficulties with access to supplies, helping others, nicknaming the stoma, and the interactions with the health system.

Knowing the self-management experience, influencing factors, and practices contributes to implementing interventions with a better impact aimed at improving the quality of life and the new life experience of having a colostomy.