How do you Treat Colon Cancer?

If you are over 50, have a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), or have other risk factors such as being overweight, experts recommend that you talk to your doctor about screening for the disease. Colon Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in America, and less than half of people diagnosed with it survive five years after diagnosis.

What is Colorectal Cancer and What are its Symptoms

Colon cancer develops in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system. Cancer begins when cells in the body start to grow out of control.

Symptoms can include:

-Blood in the stool

-Persistent diarrhea or constipation

-Abdominal pain and cramps

-Weakness and fatigue

-Unexplained weight loss

-Anemia (low red blood cell count)

How Colon Cancer is Diagnosed

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor. They may perform a colonoscopy to screen for CRC. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses a long, thin tube with a camera on end to look inside your rectum and colon. If the doctor sees anything like cancer, they may take a biopsy (a small sample of cells) to test for cancer.

Treatment for Colon Cancer

There are many different treatments for Colorectal Cancer, including:

–Surgery: The surgery to remove the cancer is called a colorectal resection. This surgery can be done in two ways: through open surgery or laparoscopic surgery.

In open surgery, the surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen to remove cancer. Laparoscopic surgery is done through small incisions. A camera is inserted into the stomach to help the surgeon see cancer.

Both types of surgery can be effective in removing Colon cancer. However, laparoscopic surgery may have some advantages over open surgery, such as:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain after surgery
• Faster recovery time

–Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alone or with other therapies, such as surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is given through a vein (IV) or by mouth.

There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and each one works differently. The doctor will choose the best medications for you based on the type of Colorectal cancer you have and how far it has spread.

Chemotherapy may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

–Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or with other medicines, such as surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is given through a vein (IV) or by mouth.

There are many different types of radiation therapy, and each one works differently. The doctor will choose the type of radiation therapy best for you based on the kind of Colon cancer you have and how far it has spread.

Radiation therapy may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

–Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses hormones to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or with other medicines, such as surgery or radiation therapy. Hormone therapy is given through a vein (IV) or by mouth.

There are many different types of hormone therapy, and each one works differently. The doctor will choose the type of hormone therapy best for you based on the kind of Colon cancer you have and how far it has spread.

Hormone therapy may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

-Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or with other therapies, such as surgery or radiation therapy. Targeted therapy is given through a vein (IV) or by mouth.

There are many different types of targeted therapy, and each one works differently. The doctor will choose the kind of targeted therapy best for you based on the kind of Colon cancer you have and how far it has spread.

Targeted therapy may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

How to Prevent Colon Cancer

There are many things you can do to help prevent Colon Cancer, including:

-Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables

-Exercising regularly

-Maintaining a healthy weight

-Avoiding tobacco products

-Drinking alcohol in moderation

-Getting regular screenings, such as a colonoscopy, to check for cancer

If you have any of the risk factors for Colon cancer, talk to your doctor about what you can do to reduce your risk.

Conclusion

Colon cancer is a gastrointestinal (GI) cancer that starts in the colon. It’s one of the most common types of GI cancers, and it can be fatal if left untreated.

The good news is that there are many methods available today for treating Colon Cancer: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. With early detection and treatment, Colon Cancer can often be cured.