You've Been Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer. Now What?
Understand What Stage You Are In
If biopsy results show colon cancer, it is likely that imaging tests for diagnosing cancer will be performed. These tests will help identify whether or not the cancer has spread to any other organ or lymph nodes to determine the stage of the disease. In general, staging sets the definitions for how much cancer is in the body and whether or not it has spread to other areas. Each stage can be broken down as follows.
Stage 0: This is a very early stage of colon cancer. Abnormal cells are found only in the superficial layer of the wall lining. This stage is also referred to as carcinoma in situ.
Stage 1: This is an early stage of colon cancer. Cancerous cells have been found up to the muscular layer of the colon wall. The cells have not, however, spread beyond the colon wall.
Stage 2: In this stage cancer has spread through the muscle layer to the outermost layer of the colon wall and possibly into surrounding tissue. However, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not reached other parts of the body.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread beyond the colon to other parts of the body - most often the liver and lungs.
In most cases, the earlier colorectal cancer is found the better the long-term outcome for the patient. That said, there have been several success stories where patients have beat colorectal cancer in the latter stages of the disease. If you have questions about the prognosis of your stage, talk to your doctor.
Know Your Treatment Options
Getting diagnosed with colon cancer is not easy, but it’s important to know that you have a team of doctors and medical staff, as well as family and friends, committed to supporting you on the journey ahead. You should never feel uncomfortable or embarrassed talking to you or asking them questions after diagnosis. They are there to help you better understand your position and everything that lies ahead.
Colon cancer is a serious disease. Fortunately, signs of colon cancer can be caught early on and the disease can often be prevented from spreading with regular screening. If you are due for a screening, schedule an appointment at Northeastern Gastroenterology Associates.
Find Support
Every patient’s situation is different, and everyone copes with a colon cancer diagnosis differently. However, it is important to know that there is support out there. Each year, it is estimated that nearly 137,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer so you shouldn’t feel like you're alone. There are various ways to seek support and guidance through your treatment process.
Consider joining an advocacy group that supports people with colorectal cancer, including Fight Colorectal Cancer and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Joining these groups can make it easier for you find specific support, learn more about your disease, meet others who are going through, or have gone through, the same thing, and improve your overall outlook.
Getting diagnosed with colon cancer is not easy, but it’s important to know that you have a team of doctors and medical staff, as well as family and friends, committed to supporting you on the journey ahead. You should never feel uncomfortable or embarrassed talking to you or asking them questions after diagnosis. They are there to help you better understand your position and everything that lies ahead.
Colon cancer is a serious disease. Fortunately, signs of colon cancer can be caught early on and the disease can often be prevented from spreading with regular screening. If you are due for a screening, schedule an appointment at Northeastern Gastroenterology Associates.