Prostate cancer CT issues

My husband needs to have a CT scan for prostate cancer and needs to clean out the old feces. However, he has bowel cancer and surgery, and has a stomach bag.

His buttocks have not been used for many years, and even after cleaning them every day, they are still not completely clean. Is there any way to help him clean them? Because if they are not clean, he still cannot have the CT scan. Thank you.

  • Hello, and thank you for posting,

    I’m really sorry to hear what your husband is going through. This must not be easy.

    When someone has had bowel surgery and uses a stoma, the back passage may not have been used for a long time, which can make hygiene and preparation for scans more difficult. Even if the area is regularly cleaned, it can still be challenging to achieve the level of cleanliness required for procedures such as a CT scan.

    It might be helpful to speak to the CT department directly, as they may be able to offer advice or other ways to prepare, especially given your husband's medical history and stoma.

    If the area is difficult to reach or clean thoroughly, they may be able to arrange for someone, such as a nurse or a healthcare assistant, to help with hygiene before the scan.

    It’s important to let the radiology team know about his situation in advance. They’re used to working with people who have complex needs and will want to make sure he’s as comfortable and safe as possible during the scan.

    I hope this is helpful,

    Jemma