Colon cancer drastically changes patients' lives. People worry about family, continuing their jobs and keeping their jobs. Life with colon cancer has medical and non-medical components. Non-medical components include support groups and possibly working with a social worker, counselor or clergy about end-of-life wishes. For most colon cancer patients, the medical components comprise their lives with cancer.
Stages
Stage of cancer has a significant affect on living with colon cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, stage 0 of colon cancer means that abnormal cells are present in the colon lining. Living with colon cancer at stage 0 may not be different from life without colon cancer. Nevertheless, symptoms present as the stages progress. Stage I occurs when cancer has formed and has spread through the colon wall's innermost tissue layer. Stage II has two substages. Stage IIA means the cancer has spread to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum. Stage IIB involves the spread of cancer to nearby organs. Patients with colon cancer at this stage level may experience blood in the stool. Stage III has three substages, but all involve spread to the lymph nodes. In stage IV, cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver or lungs. Living with colon cancer at stage IV is difficult. Organs that have developed tumors will present with dysfunction. Staging is a critical part of living with colon cancer, because the stage determines possible outcomes from treatment. A less severe stage has best possible outcomes.
Examinations
Colon cancer patients undergo various examinations. These procedures may require preparation the day before and could have after effects lasting a couple days. Since testing is a common occurrence for colon cancer patients, living with colon cancer means dealing with continual medical procedures. There are several tests used to assess colon cancer, including fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema and a digital rectal exam. However, three tests affect the lives of colon cancer patients for more than a day. The digital rectal exam involves examination of rectum using a lubricated, gloved finger. The digital rectal exam takes a couple minutes and is non-invasive, but the patient may be asked to not eat several hours before the test. A sigmoidoscopy examines the rectum and lower colon using a sigmoidoscope, which is a slender lighted instrument capable of transmitting images. This procedure does not use general anesthetic and is uncomfortable. Again, patients may be asked to not eat several hours before the test. A colonoscopy uses a colonoscope, which is a longer version of the sigmoidoscope, and assesses the entire colon. There is a 24-hour preparation for this test, in which patients must not eat and consume laxatives. After the procedure, patients may experience constipation for a couple days. Medical examination for colon cancer patients is more than a few minutes during a doctor's appointment. These procedures affect a patient's daily activities.
Treatment
Treatment for colon cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery for colon cancer may include removal of a suspicious lump or a section of the colon, depending on staging and severity. Radiation therapy provides a localized radiation to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells by using certain drugs. It is common for these treatment options to be used in combination.
Side Effects
The side effects of surgery for colon cancer include tiredness, constipation, diarrhea, bleeding or infection. The side effects of chemotherapy include feeling weak, bruising or bleeding easily, hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and oral sores, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Checkups
Colon cancer patients and survivors undergo regular checkups. A common checkup includes a physical exam, colonoscopy, chest x-rays, fecal occult blood test and other lab tests. This follow-up care is an important part of living with and living through colon cancer.
