Abstract
This study investigated the psychological influences and problems for ostomates by comparatively examining their awareness of whether or not they have cancer. Patients（n=131）who had colostomies following the treatment of rectal cancer and are also members of an ostomates' association in Ishikawa prefecture,responded to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory（STAI）and the Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale（RSE）by mail. The results of this study showed that ostomates who know they have cancer suffer more significantly from anxiety than those who do not know. The self-esteem scores for ostomates who were aware of their cancer rose significantly,and the postoperative period became longer. In light of these findings,we conclude that ostomates who know they have cancer need more psychological support in the early postoperative period than presently provided. We also conclude that it is necessary to incorporate a long-term psychological support system into the nursing care system.
