Psychological impact of ostomy on the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients: Role of body image, self-esteem and anxiety

Surgery accounts for an important port of the therapeutic arsenal of colorectal cancer treatment. In digestive cancers, ostomy devices induce the loss of anal function and control. This medico! appliance generates changes affecting all aspects of patients' lives. This study explores, on the one hand, the psychological impact of colostomy on colorectal cancer patients' quality of life and on the other hand, it analyzes the correlational links between body image, self-esteem and anxiety during the stoma. Thirty-five patients with colorectal cancer participated in the study, divided into 2 subgroups: 23 were carriers of a definitive stoma and the 12 others with a temporary stoma. All completed the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy (FACT-C), the Body Image Scale (MS), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) and the Self Esteem Scale (ETES). Analysis revealed the quality of life of temporary ostomates is more affected than that of the definitive ones. All three of them, body image, self-esteem and anxiety negatively affect the quality of life regardless of the type of stoma. This study highlights the prevalence of physical self-esteem for temporary ostomy; the role of a good body image and substantial emotional self-esteem for the permanent ostomy. Future studies ore required to explore the underlying causes of the acceptance of this equipment and the mediating role of core devices.