How to Explore Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Treatment

Surgery is the most common treatment for colon cancer, which arises in the lining of the colon. In severe cases, where there is a risk the cancer may return or has spread, chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with the surgery. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells left behind by surgery and controls tumor growth before surgery.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Oncologist

1. Get the facts on colon cancer. More than 150,000 new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year, and 60 percent of those are diagnosed after the cancer has already started to spread to other organs. If you are over the age of 50 or have a family history of cancer, you should have a colonoscopy every three to five years. The earlier the cancer is detected, the less likely treatment will require chemotherapy.

2. Learn more about the kinds of chemotherapy drugs used to treat colon cancer at WebMD's Guide to Colorectal Cancer (see Resources below). The most common is 5-Fluorouracil, or 5-FU, though new drugs have been developed.

3. Consider neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is used before surgery to reduce the number of present cancer cells. If you're in the late stages of colon cancer, this may make the surgery more likely to remove all of the cancerous tissue.

4. Prepare for side effects. The side effects of chemotherapy are notorious, which is why many people explore other options before deciding to go ahead with the treatment. Nausea and vomiting will become a normal part of your routine, so change your eating habits to help reduce these symptoms. Eat smaller meals and avoid fatty foods. Get lots of rest after eating, which helps combat the fatigue chemotherapy also causes.

5. Explore alternatives to chemotherapy. Several clinical trials (see Resources below) are trying to reduce the size of tumors using techniques and medicines other than chemotherapy. Some also work along with the chemotherapy treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not let your doctor bully you into chemotherapy. You have the legal right to be involved in the decision-making process regarding your treatment. If you want to explore other possibilities, speak to your doctor as soon as possible, and insist on changing doctors if you feel your voice is not being heard or your wishes are not being followed.

• Ask your doctor what type of chemotherapy he or she will use. Some types may have fewer of the unpleasant side effects associated with this form of treatment.

• Chemotherapy takes a lot out of you mentally and emotionally as well as physically. As you undergo treatment, be sure to speak with others about your anxiety. If you need more support, talk to your doctor about referral to a mental health provider who can help you through your cancer treatment.