Colorectal or colon cancer is among the top three cancers for both men and women in South Africa with 1 in 77 males and 1 in 132 females diagnosed according to the National Cancer Register (2019). There is evidence of many younger individuals being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. It’s the second most common cancer in […]

SAVE THE DATE Our March broadcast of the SASS Support Group Meeting is Proudly Sponsored by HOLLISTER. Hollister Incorporated is an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures and markets healthcare products and services worldwide.   Our virtual meetings will now be streamed across multiple platforms simultaneously and can be viewed on FaceBook, Instagram & Youtube and […]

Imaam Rashied Omar will be joining us to discuss a topic many of our Muslim Ostomates have been asking, namely can I fast during Ramadan and how do I make salaah and is my wudu not voided because of my stoma.https://youtu.be/cs2LUfjJuQA

We are doing things differently in 2024. Our virtual meetings will now be streamed across multiple platforms simultaneously and can be viewed on FaceBook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Youtube.Our first Webinar included: Our Constitutional Rights as Patients in South Africa facilitated by SECTION27 How does Functional Fitness benefit an Ostomate and how can this reduce the […]

For most ostomates, a stoma has little or no effect on the ability to enjoy sex, regardless of sexual preferences or lifestyle before surgery.   Sexuality and ostomy are complex subjects with many aspects to it: the physical, emotional, and psychological pressures are major influences in ones’ life. Below, we will break down these issues […]

SAVE THE DATE Our February broadcast of the SASS Support Group Meeting is Proudly Sponsored by Convatec. Convatec is a global medical products and technologies with leading market positions in advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care and infusion care. We are doing things differently in 2024. Our virtual meetings will now be streamed across multiple […]

My story like many others living with Ulcerative Collitis, is more or less very similar. Living with Collitis since 2002 for me was a nightmare. To the point of much deliberation and contemplation I walked into my surgeons room so mad with life and this feeling of unfairness. I said doc “I’ve had enough of […]

Daily Maverick exposé has revealed the shocking treatment of stoma patients in the public health sector. Many have resorted to dangerous alternatives due a shortage of colostomy pouches in Gauteng, while others are fitted with incorrect ones. There are also allegations of tender corruption among suppliers. Mark Heywood, Citizen Maverick editor, says the problem is […]

Many Ostomates fall victim to the common misconceptions that daily leakage and skin irritation are normal occurrences that come with the territory of having an ostomy. The reality is, they are going through unnecessary struggles due to the fact that they aren’t using the best products for my individual situation.

It is normal normal to feel anxious about how stoma has changed your body and this can make you shy away from being intimate with your partner. Meaningful and fulfilling intimate encounters can still be part of your and your partner’s lives.  Open and honest communication with your partner lay at the heart of the […]

South Africa has over 60 000 people living with a stoma and less than 100 nurses qualified to offer appropriate support & care. Sasstomates Faizel Jacobs & Graham Daniels will be running the 2022 Cape Town Marathon to raise funds for SASS. Funds raised will be used to send nurses in the public healthcare system […]

Meeting Details: Topic: Lifestyle Tips & Tricks Date & Time: 27 July 2022 at 19:00 Johannesburg Please join the SASS Support group meeting where we will be chatting lifestyle tips and tricks for Ostomates.  PLEASE NOTE: Once registered you will receive the meeting login details.

SASS, in collaboration with the Tygerberg Hospital Stoma Clinic & The South African Stomaltherapy Association (SASA) hosted a workshop with nurses from the stoma clinics that fall within Tygerberg Hospital’s district. At the event, our Stoma Nurse Sr Busi from Tygerberg hospital and Sr Aneeke from SASA spoke to the group in attendance covering topics: […]

We are so proud of our very own Lerato, who as an ostomate summited Mount Kilimanjaro. “After I confronted this stage3 colorectal cancer mountain and survived it, I felt the urgent need to create awareness about this type of cancer and what being an ostomate means. Being an avid multi-day hiker I felt my ostomy […]

Understanding your Colostomy plays a huge role in coming to terms with having one and most importantly, managing your “NEW YOU”. Please join our June  Support Group meeting as we explore Colostomies in abit more detail. We will explore: operations that result in a colostomy recap diet constipation/diarrhoea colostomy irrigation Parastomal hernias     Date […]

We are so thankful to the team at SASA (The South African Stomaltherapy Association) for supporting our monthly meetings. This evening, Sr Jane Hoole chats to us about Stoma Products available in South Africa. Through the course of this conversation, we covered some interesting topics that we are confident, you the Ostomate will find extremely […]

Understanding your ileostomy plays a huge role in coming to terms with having one and most importantly, managing your “NEW YOU”. Please June our May Monthly Support Group meeting as we explore ileostomies in abit more detail. Meeting Details: Topic: Operations that result in an ileostomy/Ulcerative colitis vs Crohn’s disease/recap diet/managing lose watery stools/appropriate pouching […]

Is my Ostomy blocked? A blockage is not only with Colostomy right ? Understanding your gut plays a significant role in helping you manage life with your Stoma. In this support group meeting , our The South African Stomaltherapy Association (SASA) nurses Dee and Jane recap on the Gastro Intestinal Tract, types of stoma then […]

Meeting Details:Topic: Stoma ProductsDate & Time: 4th May 2022 at 19:00 Johannesburg Please join the SASS Support group meeting where we will be chatting about Stoma Products. What is available? what do I need?  Its is important to note that these sessions by no means replaces a consultation with your Stoma Nurse or Physician. These […]

Hi, my name is Pierre Van Der Merwe. I have a urostomy, not sure how many people on the group has one (ilial conduit) But one of the interesting things I have learned (on this group) is that some of you give your stoma bag a name? Now from the start my “bag” felt like […]

Meeting Details: Topic: Blockage vs Constipation Date & Time: 30th March 2022 at 19:00 Johannesburg Please join the SASS Support group meeting where our nurse will be explaining the difference between a blockage and constipation. We will also explore the most commonly treatment plans. Its is important to note that these sessions by no means […]

he SASS February Virtual Support group meeting welcomed SASA (South African Stomaltherapy Association) to the meeting. SASA is a Not-For-Profit organisation established for the purpose of maintaining optimum care for individuals with ostomies, incontinence, draining wounds, fistulae, draining and feeding tubes and actual or potential alterations in tissue integrity. This evening, Sr Dee Waugh shared […]

Meeting Details: Topic: Diet – Eating plans. The do’s and the donts Date & Time: 23th February 2022 at 19:00 Johannesburg The meeting Log In Details will be sent to you once your registration has been completed – Registration Form Below We are so excited to announce the collaboration with South African Stomaltherapy Association (SASA).  […]

In honouring those #GetFit #NewYearsResolutions, SASS had invited Sarah Russell to the first Virtual Support Meeting of 2022 Sarah spoke to us about the benefits of exercise and movement, sharing from her 25 years’ experience as an Exercise Specialist and an Ostomate. About Sarah  Sarah is a clinical exercise specialist, certified clinical Pilates instructor (APPI […]

Hi my name is Michelle Fourie. I am 45 years old and it is my 1 year stoma anniversary (December 2021). I have a colostomy bag. It all started about a year-and-a-half ago. I thought my appendix had burst. The pain was unexplainable. Paramedics arrived and did not want to send me to the hospital […]

Meeting Details:Topic: SASS – Benefits of Exercise and MovementDate & Time: 26th January 2022 at 19:00 Johannesburg Please join our Virtual Support group meeting when we welcome Sarah Russell as she speaks to us about the benefits of Exercise and Movement for us Ostomates. About Sarah  Sarah is  a clinical exercise specialist, certified clinical Pilates […]

#SASS welcomed fashion model, author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker & double Ostomate Jearlean Taylor. At the age of 3 years old, Jearlean was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer; Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer- Free after 1 years treatments, she was left with a colostomy and urostomy. Despite what many would perceive to be disabilities, Jearlean is considered […]

24 Novemeber 2021 we will be hosting our final Virtual Meeting for 2021 and we have prepared a TREAT for you all. We welcome fashion model, author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker & double Ostomate Jearlean Taylor. At the age of 3 years old, Jearlean was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer; Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer- Free after […]

With summer here you may be wondering if you can swim with your Stoma and bag; in short YES! Swimming is probably one of the best exercises after ostomy surgery but you may be feeling anxious that the pouching system may fail or embarressed because of the bag. Here are some helpful tips and tricks […]

ConvaTec hosted a live discussion with ostomates, nurses and other healthcare professionals at their two session, one-day virtual summit on Friday, October 1, 2021. “Ostomates’ Rights Are Human Rights – anytime and anywhere” was this year’s World Ostomy Day’s theme. SASS Chairperson Faizel Jacobs was invited as a panelist to one of these sessions: This […]

Every three years, ostomates from around the world come together to celebrate World Ostomy Day on the first Saturday in October. This year it was held on October 2, 2021 and the European Ostomy Association (EOA) has declared the motto as “Ostomates’ Rights Are Human Rights – anytime and anywhere!” It is an opportunity for […]

For Ostomates by Ostomates We are Ostomates living in South Africa, hosting monthly virtual meetings and we are inviting you to join in the conversation. If you an Ostomate living in South Africa or do you know an Ostomate living in South Africa then please register by completing the form below.Alternatively you can also register by […]

  As always, please remember that any educational material is a guide to what works in most cases. If you find that you are still struggling with a product or leakage, it will always be best to reach out to your stoma nurse. If you are struggling to get the support it is that you […]