Education and Support

We want to help you access all of the care and services you need to aid your healing process. If you have colorectal cancer, here are some services that may benefit you:

  • An oncology nurse navigator who knows a great deal about the needs of people with colorectal cancer will be available to listen to you, answer your questions, and help you understand next steps in your treatment. Your navigator also will find resources for you and your family as you move through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. Your navigator and care team members will partner to provide support for you every step of the way.
  • Premier Health ostomy clinics provide guidance and support if your doctor recommends that you need an ostomy  - an opening in your abdomen to carry stool out of your body from either your colon (colostomy) or small intestine (ileostomy).

Although the thought of an ostomy can be frightening and overwhelming, our advanced practice nurses, certified in ostomy care, are here to help with education, support, and ostomy site markings. Before surgery, your doctor may ask the certified ostomy nurse to place a mark on your abdomen as a recommended site, called a stoma, for your ostomy. Placement is very important. Numerous studies have shown that a stoma site marking enhances the likelihood of independent ostomy care and leads to fewer ostomy-related complications. After the ostomy site marking, the nurse will explain what will happen with your surgery, answer your questions, and teach you how to care for your ostomy so you can live a normal life.

The ostomy team also handles care of fistulas, which are abnormal connections between two organs (the skin is your largest organ). An example would be a “drain pipe” that leaks from the colon out onto the skin.

For information, call (937) 208-3780(937) 208-3780 for the Miami Valley Hospital Ostomy Clinic. For the Upper Valley Medical Center Ostomy Clinic, call (937) 440-4706 (937) 440-4706.

  • Our Ostomy Support Group offers education, support, and shared experiences and insights into living with an ostomy. Family members or others are welcome.  This group meets at the Upper Valley Medical Center Cancer Care Center on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.  Call (937) 440-4706(937) 440-4706 for more information. 
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Contact Us

Call the Premier Health cancer hotline at (844) 316-HOPE(844) 316-4673 (4673), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to connect with a Premier Health cancer navigator.