World Ostomy Day is marked every year at the beginning of October with the aim of eliminating prejudices about patients with ostomy. The theme of this year’s World Ostomy Day is “Many Stories, One Voice.” On September 28th, 2015, the Association of Ostomy Patients placed a stand in front of the department store „Boska“. In the period from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., all interested citizens had the opportunity to be informed of the content of brochures dedicated to this health problem and to speak with health care workers. Medical staff members of the UCC RS once again gave their support to the Association and on that occasion emphasized difficulties faced by the ostomy patients and drew the attention of the public to the significance of disease prevention examinations.

An ostomy is an opening surgically created in the abdominal wall. There are three types of ostomies: ileostomy, colostomy and urostomy. A colostomy is created when a portion of the colon is removed and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal wall. It can be temporary or permanent. A urostomy is a surgical procedure which diverts urine away from a bladder. An ileostomy is a surgical opening on the abdominal wall created to allow waste to leave the body.

The most common reasons for performing ostomy are: colorectal cancer, congenital defects and severe injuries. Colorectal cancer represents big health problem in our country and worldwide. It is a disease that is completely curable if it is detected in a timely manner and if a surgical procedure is performed at the right moment. It is important to know that it takes ten years until colon polyp develops into a malignant alteration. This phase of the disease is without any symptoms. In that phase, it is of utmost importance to carry out preventive examination in order to perform surgical procedure in a patient. Prevention of this disease is very significant and it depends on the way of life of an individual, whether an individual is engaged in physical activity or whether he/she is suffering from other diseases. Besides this, colonoscopy screenings are very important for people who are more than 60 years old and who have no difficulties. Five leading risk factors for 30 % of cancer-related deaths are: high body mass index, insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables, insufficient physical activity, alcohol consumption and tobacco use.