Sexual function after stoma formation in women with colorectal cancer

The aim of this literature review is to explore women's experience of sexuality after stoma formation during surgery for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide with 1.23 million cases diagnosed annually (Ferlay et al, 2010). The National Cancer Registry (2016) states that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland. Each year, approximately 2500 new diagnoses of colorectal cancer are made, of which 750-1100 are in women.

Risk factors for colorectal cancers include older age, family history of colorectal cancer, smoking, a high body mass index, a history of inflammatory bowel disease and polyps (Hinkle and Cheever, 2014).

Common interventions for this type of cancer include bowel resection, anastomosis and, in cases where disease site indicates, stoma formation. A stoma or ostomy is an artificial opening that is created when a diseased part of the colon is removed and remaining healthy intestine is attached to an opening in the abdomen through which faeces is expelled, usually into a pouch (Ramirez et al, 2010). A stoma may be temporary or permanent, and not all colorectal cancer surgery results in a stoma.