Patients with rectal cancer can resume normal life, if the cancer is surgically removed and the intestine is reconstructed. But this is possible only if the cancer is detected in its early stages, when it is still operable. Unfortunately in India, more often than not, patients turn up when it's already too late. In such cases, it doesn't mean death; it means something worse. In patients with inoperable cancers, a major part of the large intestine is removed along with the rectum and the anus. This means the patient will no longer have control over passing his stools. His intestine is attached to an external Colostomy bag all the time, (as shown in the pic)
which collects the faecal matter. This bag has to be changed everyday. The other option in such cases, is death, which is usually slow and painful. Needless to say, living with a bag of faecal matter on your abdomen can be mentally stressful and traumatic. Even your loved ones will start avoiding you altogether. I know this because I've seen it happen in my family. And it's also proven statistically.So - if somebody you knew were faced with such options, what would your advise be? What would you do?
