Things You'll Need:
- Computer with Internet access
- Oncologist
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Step 1
Prepare to undergo surgery, as this is the most common form of colon cancer treatment. Your doctor might perform a local excision, polypectomy, resection and colectomy or resection and colostomy.
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Step 2
Check out MedlinePlus's interactive tutorial on colon cancer surgery. You can learn about surgical treatment options for colon cancer and even quiz yourself on the subject (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Understand that a course of chemotherapy or radiation will likely be prescribed if the cancer is more advanced.
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Step 4
Visit (and revisit to check for updates) the American Cancer Society's guide to chemotherapy for colon and rectum cancer. This detailed guide will walk you through the latest drugs and their methods of administration (see Resources below).
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Step 5
Research clinical trials in your area (see Resources below). For instance, immunotherapy is a popular alternative to conventional treatment, but risks are involved.
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Step 6
Learn as much as you can about the trial before agreeing to take part. Most trials study the effectiveness of treatments after the surgery in which the malignant cells are removed. Ask your regular doctor to review any contracts so you have a second opinion about the pros and cons of this particular form of treatment.
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Step 1
Continue to have annual screenings and colonoscopies on the schedule you create with your doctor. Even if you are cured of the initial bout, colon cancer may reoccur, especially in patients who are over 50, smoke and eat red meat.
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Step 2
Prepare to change your diet. It is believed that diets high in fruits and vegetable help prevent colon cancer.
