Download Colon Cancer - Tufts Health Plan

Colon Cancer
How is it treated?
Colon polyps are removed during a screening
test called colonoscopy. Colon cancer is almost
always treated with surgery. The cancer is more
easily removed when it is found early. But if the
cancer has spread into the wall of the colon or
farther, then you may also need radiation or
chemotherapy.
How can you prevent colon
cancer?
Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer,
starts when abnormal cells grow out of control
in the lower part of your intestine (your colon).
When it is found early, it can often be treated
with good success.
Screening tests
You can help prevent colon cancer by getting a
screening test that looks for polyps. Screening
tests include:
• Stool tests. These tests check your stool for
signs of cancer. They include the fecal occult
blood test (FOBT), fecal immunochemical
test (FIT), and the stool DNA test (sDNA).
What are the symptoms?
• Sigmoidoscopy. A lighted scope shows the
lower part of your intestine.
Colon cancer usually does not cause symptoms
until after it has begun to spread. See your
doctor if you have symptoms such as:
• Colonoscopy. A lighted scope shows the
inside of your entire colon.
• Pain in your belly.
• Blood in your stool or very dark stools.
• A change in your bowel habits, such as more
frequent stools or a feeling that your bowels
are not emptying completely.
What causes colon cancer?
Most cases begin as polyps, which are small
growths inside the colon or rectum. Colon
polyps are very common, and most do not turn
into cancer. But doctors cannot tell which polyps
will turn into cancer. This is why screening tests
that check for polyps are important.
• Computed tomographic colonography
(CTC), or virtual colonoscopy, which creates
pictures of the inside of your large intestine.
During sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, your
doctor can also remove polyps or tissue samples
to test for cancer.
Lifestyle choices that can help prevent
colon cancer
• Stay at a healthy weight.
• Eat healthy foods and limit animal fat. Eating
a variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish,
poultry, and whole grains can help prevent
cancer.
• Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and
1 drink a day for women. More drinks than
this may raise the risk of colon cancer.
• Be active.
• Do not smoke. If you smoke, try to quit.
People who smoke have a higher rate of
cancer than nonsmokers do. If you need help
quitting, talk to your doctor about medicines
and counseling. They can help you quit for
good.
How can you care for yourself at
home?
You can take steps to help yourself feel better
during treatment:
• Call your doctor if you are having a problem
with your medicine.
• If you have pain, talk with your doctor about
making a pain control plan.
• If you are vomiting or have diarrhea, drink
plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
◦ Choose water and other caffeine-free clear
liquids. If you have kidney, heart, or liver
disease and have to limit fluids, talk with
your doctor before you increase the amount
of fluids you drink.
◦ When you are able to eat, try clear soups,
mild foods, and liquids until all symptoms
are gone for 12 to 48 hours.
Keep your strength up. Fatigue is common
with cancer treatment. But staying active and
eating well before, during, and after your
treatment may help you have more energy.
• Get some physical activity every day. Ask a
friend to take a walk with you.
• Eat healthy foods. Foods with protein and
extra calories can help you stay strong and
prevent weight loss. Try liquid meal
replacements.
• Eat smaller meals more often, or eat your
main meal early.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself
hydrated.
Deal with your emotions. Feeling anxious is a
normal reaction to cancer. Do things to help
reduce your stress.
• Get enough sleep, and eat a healthy diet.
• Share your feelings with a friend, or join a
support group.
• Take time to do activities and hobbies you
enjoy. Or try something new, like painting
or listening to music.
• Let your doctor know if you feel discouraged
or down. If you are depressed, your doctor
can help with treatment.
• Learn all you can about colon cancer. Try
the American Cancer Society
(1-800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org) or the
National Cancer Institute (1-800-422-6237
or www.cancer.gov).
Prepare an advance directive. Talk to your
doctor about an advance directive, which
includes a living will and a medical power of
attorney. In a living will, you describe the kind
of care you want if something happens to you
and you cannot speak for yourself. In a medical
power of attorney, you choose a person to make
medical decisions for you if you cannot speak
for yourself. Be sure to share your wishes with
your family or close friends. You can get forms
from Caring Connections (www.caringinfo.org
or 1-800-658-8898) or Aging With Dignity
(www.agingwithdignity.org or 1-888-594-7437).
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of this information, which does not replace medical advice. 2015-02-bu1338