Basic Information About Colon Cancer
What Is the Colon?
Take the first step to keep your colon healthy by learning more about its basic anatomy, layers and functions.
What is Colon Cancer?
Understanding the signs and symptoms of colon cancer.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Learn about the symptoms related to colon cancer, including bowel habit or appetite changes, nausea, bloody stools and abdominal pain.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Colon Cancer
The symptoms of colon cancer are a vague collection of gastrointestinal complaints. One person may have no symptoms at all, while another person may have multiple symptoms present. Empower yourself about this disease through education -- learn about the symptoms and diagnosis of colon cancer, as well as factors that may increase your personal risk.
How Not to Dread a Colonoscopy
Know what to expect and how to prepare for your upcoming colonoscopy.
Diagnosis of Colon Cancer
Information for individuals and loved ones facing the diagnosis, staging and treatment of colon cancer.
Polyps
A colon polyp is an abnormal growth in the lining of your colon. There are many different types of polyps, but only 10 percent of them will grow into colon cancer. Learn more about the types of polyps, the risk for colon cancer and how they are treated.
Do Polyps Always Mean Cancer?
Following your colonoscopy you may be frightened to learn that you have polyps in your colon. Learn more about what these polyps mean and how to decrease your risk of colon cancer in the future.
Meet Your Medical Team
The caregivers you meet during your colon cancer diagnosis and treatment compose your medical care team. These medical professionals will help teach you about colon cancer diagnosis, treatment and help you over the hurdles along the way. Get to know each one of these medical professionals and learn more about how they can assist you.
Newly Diagnosed and Dealing with It
The curve ball of receiving a colon cancer diagnosis will hit you hard. Learn how to deal -- from educating yourself to how to discuss this with your family.
Advice About Bright Red Blood in Stool
Blood in the stool is not a normal finding, and can be quite a scary experience. Learn about the causes, treatment and diagnosis of blood in the stool.
Your Colon Health Trifecta
The simple trifecta -- diet, activiy, and mental health -- are powerful weapons you can use to fight colon cancer.
Are stomach cramps a sign of colon cancer?
Stomach cramps can be a sign of colon cancer, but they are also indicative of many other, less-serious conditions. Learn more about this symptom to make the most of your doctor's appointment.
Concentrating on Liver Metastasis
Colorectal cancers will spread to the liver in about half of the people diagnosed with advanced disease. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Surgery for a Bowel Obstruction
A large bowel obstruction is a potential complication of advanced cancers of the colon, ovaries or stomach. Learn more about the symptoms, treatment and risks of this blockage.
Cecum Cancer
Although it's the least common type of colon cancer, it may be the hardest to diagnose. Learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatment of this disease.
Treatment of Colon Cancer
Learn more about how colon cancer is treated including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and target therapies.
Free Stuff for Colon Cancer Patients
Find dozens of Web sites and organizations that provide free goodies, financial assistance, and more to people fighting colon cancer here.
5 Things Not to Say to a Colon Cancer Patient
The awkwardness, indecision, and insert-foot-in-mouth problem is a common ailment for friends and family of people who have recently been diagnosed with cancer. You may not know what to say – that's normal. Learn how to avoid the five biggest faux paus when speaking to a cancer patient.
Your Lifestyle and Colon Cancer
There are just as many controllable risk factors as there are uncontrollable when it comes to colon cancer. Learn how to decrease your personal risk and change the lifestyle factors that may be increasing your chances of developing this disease.
When Should I Worry About Passing Too Much Gas?
Passing excessive gas is not only socially embarrassing, it can be uncomfortable. Although it is one of the signs of colon cancer, the excess flatulence may be a byproduct of your diet and lifestyle.
Colon Cancer and Thin Stools
Bowel habit changes, such as thin or ribbon-like stools, may be a symptom of advanced colon cancer. Learn more about the causes of this symptom and how to recognize and report bowel habit changes.
Bowel Movement Changes Can Be a Symptom of Colon Cancer
Bowel movement changes can be one of the symptoms of colon cancer, so don't ignore them if they last for more than a few weeks.
How is Colon Cancer Diagnosed?
A description of how colon cancer is diagnosed, including discussion of the specific tests that are used to diagnose colon cancer. A list of additional colon cancer resources.
Staging Colorectal Cancer
Learn what happens from the biopsy of your colon cancer through the staging process.
Colon Cancer Survival Rates
Colon cancer survival rates vary by stage. Getting the facts about survival rates by stage will help you make informed decisions about your colon cancer care. When diagnosed early, colon cancer is highly curable. Even when diagnosed at later stages, new colon cancer treatments are improving survival for people with more advanced disease.
What is carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)?
If you've ever wondered what carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is, you've come to the right place. You can master the facts about carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and learn how it's used during colon cancer care.
Colon Polyp Types
Colon polyps come in several types, which have various shapes and sizes. Learn about the different types of colon polyps so you know whether they increase your risk of colon cancer.
Constipation
Constipation is a very uncomfortable symptom, not a diagnosis. Learn about the causes, treatments and when to speak to your doctor about constipation. Although diarrhea is more common, constipation can also be a vague symptom of colon cancer.
Colon Biopsy - What is a Colon Biopsy?
Colon biopsy - that phrase can strike fear in the toughest among us. And while a colon biopsy may seem like a scary proposition, learning about how this test is completed and what to expect during a colon biopsy can ease your fear and help you take charge of your health.
Is Swine Flu (H1N1 Influenza) Related to Cancer?
Swine flu may not seem to be related to cancer, but for those who are immune-compromised due to cancer treatment, taking a few precautions can help you avoid this infection.
What Does Seeing Blood in Your Stools Mean?
Understanding what causes blood in stools will help you gain control of your health and move forward to get to the bottom of this symptom.
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be a symptom of colon cancer, so if you regularly experience diarrhea with no apparent cause, talk to your doctor right away.
Recovering Following Bowel Surgery
Bowel surgery for colon cancer will have physical and emotional impacts. Learn more about what to expect following surgery and how to help your body heal and recover.
Are Thin Stools a Symptom of Colon Cancer?
If you have thin stools, a possible sign of colon cancer, talk to your doctor so you can get to the bottom of this symptom.
Do You Need to be Concerned About Abdominal Bloating and Gas?
If you regularly suffer from abdominal bloating and gas, schedule an appointment with your doctor, because this can be a symptom of colon cancer.
Family Planning with Colon Cancer
Although it's uncommon, infertility can follow treatment modalities for colon cancer including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If you are of childbearing age, talk to your oncologist before treatment starts to discuss fertility preservation options.
What Do All Those Medical Terms Mean?
The words, phrases, and medical terms to know about colon cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation can be a symptom of colon cancer, so if you regularly experience constipation, talk to your doctor right away.
What is Colon Cancer?
A description of what colon cancer is plus a list of additional colon cancer resources.
What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?
A description of the symptoms of colon cancer plus a list of additional colon cancer resources.
How is Colon Cancer Staged?
Basic information on how your doctor will determine the extent, or stage, of your disease.
Overview of Colon Cancer Survival Rates
Overview of the colon cancer five-year survival rates by stage. Learn what the numbers mean, how they are used, and how they apply to you.
Gas, Bloating and Colon Cancer
The signs and symptoms of colon cancer are a collection of vague gastrointestinal symptoms, which can include gas and bloating. Pay attention to your gastrointestinal distress signals – this is how your body notifies you that something is amiss in your digestive tract.
Newly Diagnosed with Colon Cancer
A diagnosis of colon cancer can tilt your world on its axis. Regain control by learning more about your disease, the treatment options and setting goals following the diagnosis.
Rectal cancer is a form of cancer in the large intestine. It's sometimes...
Rectal cancer is a form of cancer in the large intestine. It's sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer and is highly treatable if caught early. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of rectal cancer here.
