Things You'll Need:
- Computer with Internet access
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Step 1
Choose the amount of treatment you receive. You may wish to have adjuvant treatment, or additional treatment, to keep colon cancer from recurring if you fall into a high-risk group, such as those over age 50, African Americans and smokers. Discuss the possibility of undergoing radiation and chemotherapy alongside your surgery.
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Step 2
Start eating a healthier diet! Not only will a diet low in animal fat and high in vegetables help prevent colon cancer, it will also keep your energy and mood up during treatment.
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Step 3
Discuss potential side effects with your doctor and identify how you should deal with them. For instance, colon cancer surgery can result in diarrhea or constipation, chemotherapy can cause hair loss and poor appetite and radiation can cause fatigue and bloody stools.
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Step 4
Prepare your family. Speak to your spouse or partner and your children before beginning treatment. Realize that your diagnosis is hard on them as well. Keep them up to date on your treatment as well as any fears you may have. An open line of communication will make treatments less stressful for everyone involved.
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Step 1
Speak with your doctor about the exact details, from start to finish, of your potential course of treatment. Ask him or her to write everything down so you can refer to the information later, in case your colon cancer treatment doesn't progress as planned.
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Step 2
Check online for anatomy references and statistics. The National Cancer Institute has a wealth of information about colon cancer and its treatments (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Join a colon cancer support group and ask the other members about their experiences with colon cancer. These people can offer you insight and advice that even a knowledgeable doctor may not have. Visit the American Cancer Society Web site for a list of support groups in your area (see Resources below).
