Battling and Surviving Colon Cancer: A Journey

Processing a Colon Cancer Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with colon cancer is a major life event that brings up a wide range of emotions. Common reactions to this news include:

• Shock, disbelief, and denial
• Anger or unfairness
• Overwhelming fear and anxiety
• Profound sadness and grief
• Loss of control
• Uncertainty about the future

These responses are entirely normal. Allow yourself to fully process the emotions so you can begin mentally preparing for the treatment ahead.

Seeking Emotional Support

You don't have to face colon cancer alone. Critical sources of support include:

• Loved ones - Share your feelings with family and close friends
• Support groups - Connect with fellow patients in-person or online
• Mental health professional - Get counseling to help build coping skills
• Faith-based organizations - Find spiritual guidance from your religious community
• Cancer associations - Check resources from cancer advocacy groups

Opening up about your fears, anxieties, and needs with your support network will help you get through this challenging time.

Choosing Your Medical Team

Assembling the right medical team is key to successfully treating colon cancer. Important specialists include:

• Gastroenterologist - Diagnoses and performs colonoscopies
• Surgeon - Removes colon cancer tumors and affected sections of the colon
• Oncologist - Oversees chemotherapy and other cancer treatments
• Radiation oncologist - Administers radiation therapy
• Dietitian - Recommends nutrition plans and diets
• Home health nurse - Provides post-surgery care

Getting second opinions, conducting research, and asking questions will enable you to feel confident in your medical team.

Understanding Colon Cancer Staging and Grades

Once diagnosed, colon cancer is assigned a stage from I to IV and a histologic tumor grade to indicate prognosis and guide treatment. Higher stages and grades are more advanced:

Colon Cancer Stages

• Stage 0 - Abnormal cells in inner lining. 5-year survival: 90%
• Stage I - Cancer in submucosa layer or muscle. 5-year survival: 87-91%
• Stage II - Cancer spread through wall without lymph node involvement. 5-year survival: 55-80%
• Stage III - Cancer spread to lymph nodes. 5-year survival: 44-83%
• Stage IV - Cancer metastasized to distant organs. 5-year survival: 10%

Tumor Grades

• Grade 1 (G1) - Abnormal cells look close to normal
• Grade 2 (G2) - Cells somewhat abnormal
• Grade 3 (G3) - Very abnormal-looking cancer cells
• Grade 4 (G4) - Extremely abnormal cells

Both stage and grade guide prognosis and treatment options like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy regimens.

Common Colon Cancer Treatments

Today, more colon cancer patients than ever before can survive and even thrive in remission. Available treatments include:

Surgery for Colon Cancer

Removing the tumor and affected colon section is typically the first treatment step. Common procedures include:

• Local excision - Removes small early-stage tumors and surrounding tissue.
• Resection - Removes part of the colon with the tumor and nearby lymph nodes.
• Colectomy - Total or partial colon removal when cancer is widespread.
• Lymph node removal - Nearby lymph nodes evaluated for cancer spread.
• Colostomy - Creates an abdominal opening for waste (often temporary).

Chemotherapy

Drug cocktails kill fast-growing cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given:

• Before surgery - Shrink large tumors to enable resection.
• After surgery - Kill any remaining cancer cells.
• With radiation - Enhance cancer-fighting effects.
• Palliative - Ease symptoms of advanced cancer.

Targeted Drug Therapy

Newer drugs can target specific proteins or genes in cancer cells, often with fewer side effects. Types include:

• VEGF inhibitors - Prevent formation of new blood vessels.
• EGFR inhibitors - Block epidermal growth factor receptors.
• Multikinase inhibitors - Disrupt cell signaling and division.
• BRAF inhibitors - Turn off a gene mutation promoting cancer growth.

Radiation Therapy

High energy beams destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. May be used before or after surgery.

Immunotherapy

Medications boost the immune system to better detect and destroy cancer. Options include:

• Checkpoint inhibitors - Release brake on immune response to cancer.
• Monoclonal antibodies - Mark cancer cells for immune destruction.
• Cancer vaccines - Train immune cells to recognize cancer antigens.

Combining multiple colon cancer treatments often provides the best chance for long-term remission and survival.

Coping with Colon Cancer Surgery

Undergoing colon cancer surgery, especially invasive procedures like colectomies, can be physically and emotionally difficult. Strategies to help you cope include:

• Educating yourself on the procedure
• Being active in your recovery
• Accepting changes to bowel habits
• Implementing diet modifications
• Joining a support group
• Embracing ostomy self-care
• Accepting changes to body image

With time, adjustment, and self-care, most colon cancer patients can thrive after surgery and get back to enjoying life.

Recovery After Surgery

Initial surgery recovery typically involves:

• Hospitalization for 4-7 days
• Incisional pain and abdominal soreness
• Fatigue
• Appetite changes and dietary restrictions
• Medications, IVs, wound drains, and catheters
• Limited physical activity
• Emotional ups and downs

Full recovery takes about 4-6 weeks. Listen to your body and confide in your care team. This difficult period does pass!

Life During Chemotherapy

IV chemotherapy infusions may be given in an outpatient clinic for several months following surgery. Here's what to expect:

Chemotherapy Sessions

You'll sit in a reclining chair for treatments, which typically last 2-6 hours per session depending on drugs given. Sessions repeat every 1-4 weeks.

Infusion Side Effects

Drugs can cause immediate side effects like:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Weakness
• Mouth sores

Tell your oncology team about side effects so they can provide relief medications.

Long-Term Side Effects

Chemo can induce side effects that persist between treatments like:

• Low blood counts
• Risk of infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Memory issues

Staying active, eating well, and getting plenty of rest can help you get through chemo.

What to Expect With Radiation Therapy

Radiation uses high energy X-ray beams to destroy cancer cells. Typical regimens involve daily outpatient treatments for up to 6 weeks.

The Radiation Process

Radiation sessions involve:

• Lying still on a table as a machine rotates around you.
• Treatment targeted to crosshairs lined up on your body.
• External beam sessions last about 5-15 minutes.
• No pain, though you may feel some pressure or hear noises.

Potential Radiation Side Effects

Radiation only impacts the treated area, but can cause side effects like:

• Fatigue
• Skin irritation, redness, blistering
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Urinary discomfort
• Bowel urgency
• Dehydration
• Low blood counts

Talk to your radiation oncology team about any side effects. They'll offer tips and medications to help you get through treatment.

Coping With Colon Cancer Fatigue

Extreme fatigue affects nearly all colon cancer patients during treatment. This exhaustion goes beyond normal tiredness.

What Causes Cancer Fatigue?

Factors contributing to fatigue include:

• The cancer itself
• Effects of surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Medications
• Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
• Poor nutrition
• Emotional stress
• Disrupted sleep habits

Listen to your body and rest when you need to. Don't push yourself to exhaustion.

Managing Fatigue

Helpful tips for dealing with cancer fatigue include:

• Get moderate exercise when possible
• Eat nutritious, high-protein foods
• Stay hydrated
• Accept help from loved ones
• Save energy for priorities
• Take short daytime naps
• Spend time outdoors
• Get counseling for emotional needs

Communicate with your care team if fatigue becomes overwhelming. Certain medications may help.

Diet and Nutrition With Colon Cancer

Maintaining proper nutrition during colon cancer treatment promotes healing and fights fatigue. Key diet tips include:

Get Your Calories

Ensure adequate calorie intake even if you have little appetite. Nutrient-dense foods can help.

Follow Pre-Surgery Diet

Adhere to any special diet in preparation for surgery. This may involve clear liquids or cleansing supplements.

Consider a Low Fiber Diet

Temporarily limiting high fiber foods can help reduce bowel irritation after surgery and during radiation. Then slowly reintroduce fiber.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water, broths, electrolyte solutions, and decaf beverages.

Manage Digestive Issues

Discuss any chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea with your oncology team. They'll provide medications to make you more comfortable.

Supplement Wisely

Check with your doctors before taking any vitamins, minerals, or herbal products, which may interact with treatment.

Adapting your diet during colon cancer treatment ensures you're getting optimal nutrition to maintain strength.

Coping With Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment

Many colon cancer patients lose some or all of their hair from chemotherapy or radiation treatments. This can be an emotionally painful side effect.

Understanding Alopecia

Hair loss is called alopecia in medicine. With colon cancer treatment, it's often:

• Gradual thinning of the hair
• Hair falling out in clumps
• Complete baldness
• Loss of body hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows

Hair tends to grow back once treatments end, though may be a different texture or color.

Coping With Hair Loss Emotionally

Options to help adjust to alopecia include:

• Wearing head coverings - scarves, hats, caps
• Trying a very short hairstyle before balding starts
• Shaving your head
• Using cosmetic powders, brows, and eyelashes
• Getting counseling or joining a support group

Find ways to maintain your self-esteem. You are still you, with or without hair.

Scalp Care During Alopecia

Proper scalp care prevents issues like dryness or infection. Tips include:

• Use mild, unscented shampoos
• Protect scalp from sunburn
• Moisturize with hydrating creams
• Avoid harsh hair products
• Gently clean with soft cloths or baby toothbrush

Your oncology team can offer guidance to make hair loss more manageable.

Building Your Colon Cancer Support Network

You don't have to face colon cancer alone. Surround yourself with a diverse support network.

Find Community Support

Great places to connect with

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.