One Million Americans Live Without A Functioning Colon

Each year about 150,000 Americans develop colon cancer and that's why ideastream is presenting a series of reports and programs on WCPN and WVIZ-PBS this week. It's part of our ongoing effort to provide health information that can save lives. If caught early, most colon cancer patients survive. Some, however, live with a long-term side-effect -- the necessity for a colostomy because of a failed colon. Tom Fuerst of Shaker Heights tells ideastream®'s Eric Wellman what it's like to live with bag attached to his abdomen that collects bodily waste.