Colonista.com

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Altered

I was reading the news today when I came across an article stating that the colorectal cancer screening guidelines had been changed. Woah! This is important stuff. For your convenience, I’ve listed one of the changes in the below table:

 

Factor Being Changed	Old Guideline	New Guideline
Type of Tests Recommended	Fecal Occult Blood Test annually; Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Double-Contrast Barium Enema every five years; Colonoscopy every ten years	Fecal Occult Blood Test and Polyp-Detecting Test annually; Colonoscopy every ten years OR one of two types of polyp-detecting tests every five years

 

What do you think this change means?

Physical Activity Great for Men with Colorectal Cancer

I was sifting through the news today and came across an article, “Physical Activity Linked to Better Survival in Men with Colorectal Cancer.” As one of the doctors interviewed explained, there haven’t been many studies performed that examine whether physical activity is beneficial to men already diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

After examining statistics and doing extensive research, it was found that an increase in physical activity was directly linked with a lower colorectal cancer-specific mortality rate.

If anything, it’s good to know. Those who suffer from this disease can do something to lengthen their lives—and their quality of life overall.

Five Invaluable Colon Cancer Resources

If you are struggling with colon cancer, you undoubtedly need a strong support group to help you through this experience. The following five resources are sure to help you with a wealth of information and support during this difficult time:

 

1. American Cancer Society – This site has an entire section called “Support Programs & Services” that I recommend you visit.
2. Colon Cancer Alliance – This site has a search feature that helps you find a support group in your area.
3. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons – Information out the wahoo. Also, an international “Find a Surgeon” tool.
4. National Cancer Institute – Statistics, clinical trials, the latest news…this site is a wealth of info.
5. Cancer Care – This might be my favorite. This site is dedicated to providing those affected by cancer, those who know someone affected by cancer, and healthcare professionals with free support services.

 

Where do you get your support from?

Are You High Risk for Colon Cancer?

We all know that there isn’t one specific cause of colon cancer. However, we do know that there are specific factors that determine you as high risk for the disease. You are considered a high risk individual if you have a combination of the following:

• Had cancer somewhere else in your body
• Crohn’s disease
• Colorectal polyps
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Family history of colon cancer
• Ulcerative colitis

If you have one or more of the following, don’t freak out! Just make sure that you get screened regularly.

Colon Cancer Treatments

It’s been a while since I discussed colon cancer. For obvious reasons, it’s not one of my favorite things to write about. It’s a scary illness that can be quite serious. However, I thought it was about time to revisit this disturbing topic and talk about the various treatment options for colon cancer. I’m going to break it down in stages so that you can see the scope of the disease as well as the scope of the available treatments.

Surgery - Stage 0

This stage is typically treated by cancer cell removal, frequently during the dreaded colonoscopy.

Surgery - Stages I, II, III

More extensive surgery, including removing the section of the colon that’s affected by the cancer, would be necessary for these stages.

Chemotherapy – Stage II

Depending upon the specific case, chemotherapy following surgery may be recommended.

Chemotherapy – Stages III and IV

Chemotherapy occurs following surgery for anywhere between 6 and 8 months.

Etc. – Stage IV

If the disease has spread to the liver, other treatments may be utilized including cutting out the cancer, cryotherapy (freezing the cancer), ablation (burning the cancer) or delivering radiation/chemotherapy directly into the liver.

 

Have you had any experiences with colon cancer treatment?

Colostomies: There can be life afterwards

A colostomy is an opening that connects the surface of the belly to the colon.  This gives your body a new path for waste to follow to leave the body.  Sometimes, colostomies are necessary after surgery for colorectal cancer or other colon diseases.

But how in the world can you manage your life with a colostomy bag attached to you during every moment?

Trust me:  it’s possible.

Here are some tips that may help you to adjust to life with a colostomy:

*    Maintain a well-balanced diet, avoiding foods that can be harder for your body to digest.

*      Keep an eye on your meds.  Some medications can cause constipation or diarrhea, and this can cause irritation when it comes to your colostomy.

*      Think about colostomy irrigation, which is a process that clears your colon, sometimes making it possible to go without a colostomy bag.

*      Talk to your doctor.  Keep him/her up to date regarding what’s going on with you and your colostomy.

*      Stay positive!  You still have a full life to live, and you can still live that life, even with a colostomy.

Do you have any personal experience with colostomies?  Share your stories and thoughts here.

Treating Colon Cancer: Overwhelming, but Possible!

Being diagnosed with any cancer is undesirable.  However, there are different treatment options for those who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

First, a surgery will be done to remove the tumor.  Once the tumor has been looked at closely under a microscope, your doctor will tell you which stage colorectal cancer you are in.  The stages are set up like this:

• Stage I:  The cancer is isolated within the colon/ rectum
• Stage II:  The cancer has spread to the muscle layer of your colon/rectum.
• Stage III:  It has spread to one or more lymph nodes.
• Stage IV:  It has spread to other body parts such as the lung, liver or bones.
  

If your cancer hasn’t spread beyond the colon or rectum, you’ll most likely just need surgery.  However, if it has spread, you’ll be looking at chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two.

Beyond the treatment that has been discussed here, you will want to take care of your emotional wellbeing.  Find someone to talk to about your feelings and what you’re going through with your colorectal cancer. 

You will also need regular checkups including various types of screenings such as physical exams, colonoscopies, carcinoembryonic antigens, and other tests.

If all goes well, your colorectal cancer will stay in remission!

If you want to know what I’m up to, check www.twitter.com/colonista.

 

Preventative Screenings: Keep Colorectal Cancer Away!

There are several different screening tests that, when done regularly, can help to catch any signs of colorectal cancer before symptoms appear.  These screenings are highly recommended for those over the age of fifty.

 For people over fifty who have an average risk of colorectal cancer, at least one of the following should be done:

• Stool tests suck as the FIT, sDNA or FOBT should be taken each year.
• Sigmoidoscopy every five years.
• Barium enema every five years.
• Colonoscopy every ten years.
• Virtual colonoscopy every five years.

 And this isn’t all you can do to prevent colorectal cancer.  The following tips can help you to stay healthy and dodge the colorectal cancer bullet.

 Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet.

• Keep an eye on your weight.
• Stay active.
• Quit smoking!
• Limit your drinking.

 Have you had any experiences with colorectal cancer?  Share your stories and thoughts here!

The Four Types of Colorectal Cancer Surgery

If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, surgery may be the optimal choice for how to rid your body of the cancer.  Here are the four different types of surgery that’s used for colorectal cancer:

1. Subtotal Colectomy for Colon Cancer

This surgery removes the diseased part of the colon.  After the piece is removed, the remaining colon is rejoined.

2. Total Colectomy for Colon Cancer

This surgery is much more major than a subtotal colectomy.  During this procedure, the entire large colon is removed.  This is usually not necessary, but the procedure does need to be performed on a small number of patients suffering from colon cancer.

3. Surgery for Sigmoid and Rectal Cancer

This procedure removes the diseased part of the rectum and lower colon using a laparoscope.  This surgery, while invasive, leaves little to no scarring.

4. Rectal Cancer Surgery

This procedure also utilizes a laparoscope and removes the diseased part of the sigmoid colon and rectum.

Always be informed regarding your health and diseases.  If you’re considering surgery to treat your colorectal cancer, be sure to do all the research you can!

Chemotherapy’s Side Effects When Used for Colorectal Cancer

I’ve already discussed the three different types of chemotherapy used for colorectal cancer patients.  Now, it’s important to know that the most common and best chemotherapy drug for colorectal cancer is 5-Fluorouracil.  When going through chemotherapy, you should also be prepared for the various side effects that may occur such as:

 

• Hair loss
• Nausea, vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Rash on the feet and hands
• Mouth sores
• Diarrhea
• Increased risk of infection
• Bleeding/bruising from minor injuries
• Anemia-related fatigue

 

Have you had experience with chemotherapy?  Which side effects did you experience?