In 2019, EuropaColon Poland became the first recipient of the Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award – established by DiCE in memory of the former leader of the DiCE member organization in Germany. The Polish patient organization won the award for their project addressing the difficult subject of living with anorectal complications and stomas related to surgical procedures on patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The project is now delivering results of real practical support for patients with CRC.

The Project Objective

The aim of this project was to address the surgery-related adverse effects on the quality of patients’ lives and to offer expert advice on how to deal with them in the best way possible. This is because surgery is the primary treatment for most colorectal cancers (CRC). Depending on the stage and location of the tumour, it can take a form of a local resection, a bowel resection, a lymph node dissection, a pelvic exenteration, removal of metastatic tumours, or colostomy.

Expert videos and written interviews for patients

In a series of videos and written interviews, available on the EuropaColon website (and links below) in the Polish language, a psychologist, a sexologist and two anorectal rehabilitation specialists offer their knowledge and advice to patients.

The psychologist speaks about the need for psychological support for patients, their partners and families, as they all deal with the consequences of bowel surgeries and stomas, and up to palliative care leading to someone’s passing. Watch the video, Read the interview.

The sexologist explores the subject of intimacy for CRC patients after major surgical procedures and /or colostomy. Watch the video, Read the interview.

The two anorectal rehabilitation specialists give a very informative, practical, and matter-of-fact view examining the subject of pelvic floor rehabilitation, including pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback and volumetric training with rectal balloon catheters, and addressing the very prevalent problem of fecal incontinence that can drastically affect quality of life. Watch the video. Read the interview.

Practical advice from a stoma nurse

Along with these helpful document a stoma nurse offers her invaluable advice in a written interview. Entitled ‘Stoma! It’s not the end of the world’, she gives information on:

• The fundamentals of colostomy
• Her professional perspective on managing and caring for a stoma bag
• Daily maintenance and hygiene related to colostomy

The interview also looks at better understanding bowel habits in order to help doctors prepare suitable treatment plans. For this it gives patients access to a printable Stool Diary form that incorporates both the Wexner and the Bristol scales.

All materials are accessible on the EuropaColon Poland Foundation website, with links to their YouTube platform, and is being broadly promoted on their social media sites.

For DiCE Members – the print materials and videos are available for local language translations, if you are interested and require the open files please contact us.

To widen the impact of this highly educational project, EuropaColon Poland is working on public relations activities including the distribution of a press release via various media platforms and local press outlets.

For more information please contact us.

Author:
Catie Young