Other Resources for Colorectal Cancer

The month of March is almost over and so comes the ending of the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This does not mean, however, that we stop thinking about or discussing colorectal cancer until March of next year. Many scientists, health care professionals, cancer survivors, family and friends will continue to be concerned with colorectal cancer in April and other months. We will begin discussing other topics on this blog, but you may still always post a concern about colorectal cancer at any time.

As we come to an end of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month I wanted to provide you with some other links to sites that you might want to visit. Hopefully, you will find these helpful in your cancer journey.

Other resources include:

• About Colon Cancer
• The American Cancer Society
• Healthline Colon Cancer Article
• Healthline Colon Cancer Article 2

As this month comes to a close it is important to reinforce that prevention and early detection are the best ways to help with colorectal cancer. As we discussed previously it is essential to remind our family and friends of the screening guidelines by the American Cancer Society and recommend lifestyle changes such as eating more fiber.

Seek help from as many resources as possible if you are diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer. Consider your options and seek a second opinion if you want to. Ask questions and make sure everything is explained so that you can understand it. Maintain a positive attitude and seek support from family, friends, community support groups or discussion forums on the internet. There have been many advances in detection and treatment of colorectal cancer and there are a number of options and lots of HOPE.

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Targeted Therapies for Colorectal Cancer

Because chemotherapy drugs must be given systemically and can thus harm healthy as well as cancer cells, they tend to cause a wide variety of side effects and are not very specific. More recently, researchers have developed targeted therapies or biologic agents. These have been developed in the hope of stopping tumor growth while sparing normal healthy cells and body functions.

These new therapies have been developed to target specific characteristics such as the tumor blood supply or overexpression of receptors of signaling proteins. Two targets that have been identified to use with metastatic colorectal cancer are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) .

Although these new therapies are "targeted" it does not mean there are NO side effects. They may have fewer side effects and fewer severe side effects than chemotherapy. For instance patients may experience some of the following side effects: nosebleeds, hypertension (high blood pressure), proteinuria (too much protein in the urine). Additional side effects might include weakness, pain, diarrhea, rash and leukopenia (a reduced white blood cell count).

Several of these new targeted therapies include:

• Bevacizumab^TM
• Cetuximab^TM
• Panitumumab^TM

These new targeted therapies are just one potential option for colorectal cancer. Your physician will discuss with you whether you will have just one therapy (like surgery) or a combination of therapies. But, it is helpful to know there a new therapies being developed every day.

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Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Surgery is one of the main treatments of colorectal cancer. Usually the tumor on the colon or rectum is removed as well as any lymph nodes. Sometimes pieces of the colon have to be removed and then sewn back together with a colostomy (or opening in the abdomen for getting rid of body wastes). Sometimes a temporary colostomy can be done and reversed later.

Sometimes newer ways can be used to remove the cancer like a laparoscope. This is a lighted tube. Special instruments are used to remove the cancer through small incisions, and recuperation is faster.

If you end up with a colostomy you will need help in learning how to care for it. Hopefully, family or friends can help.

There are always possible side effects of surgery which can include bleeding from surgery, blood clots in the legs and damage to nearby organs during the operation. Infections are also possible. You should report any side effects and symptoms to your physician or nurse.

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Screening Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer

The American Cancer Society (ACS) puts out guidelines for all types of cancers so that they may be detected early and treated early. These guidelines are based on average risk men and women. However, if you have a family history of colorectal cancer you should discuss with your doctors if you should start checking early.

The ACS recommendations for colorectal cancer are for men and women 50 years and older have 1 of the 5 screening options:
1) Fecal Occult Blood Test--every year starting at 50 years old OR
2) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy at 50 years old and every 5 years
3) Yearly FOBT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years OR
4) Colonoscopy at 50 years old and every 10 years
5) Double Contrast Barium Enema -- at 50 years and every 5 years

The ACS prefers choice #3 above.

• The FOBT test refers to collecting and testing 6 samples from 3 consecutive stools at home.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows direct visual examination of the distal part of the colon and rectum with a flexible scope after a thorough cleansing of the colon and rectum.
• Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows direct visual examination of the entire colon and rectum using a colonoscope.
• Double contrast barium enema is a procedure that allows X-ray examination of the entire colon and rectum by instilling both barium and air to be able to visualize everything.

Although these tests are not especially easy or fun, they are essential in detecting colorectal cancer early and surviving cancer. So once you reach 50, please start these exams as outlined by the ACS.

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What Does Dental Care Have To Do With Cancer?

About 2 weeks ago I went to my dentist and found out that - right then and NOT tomorrow - I was going to get a temporary crown on my tooth. Now you have to understand I am not severely phobic of dentists, but I can think of lots of other things to do. Today I was to go back and finish the work. - Lucky for me I had the date wrong (so pray for me on Thursday).

The reason I mention all this is it is CRUCIAL--not just nice--BUT ESSENTIAL for cancer patients/survivors to get regular and thorough care. Most oncologists will require you to have a dental check-up before you start any chemotherapy or radiation. If the doctor does not mention it, then you should ask and make the appointment yourself. It may sound silly, but for those of you who have had a toothache you know you can get an infection in your mouth. There are many different types of "bugs" in your mouth. As you already know your white blood cell count (WBC) decreases after chemotherapy or radiation and this makes you prone to infections. Once your WBCs are low, they cannot fight infection. The state of your teeth, gums, tongue, and lips are important during your cancer journey. Once the treatment is over you may want to have your teeth checked every 6 months.

In addition to having a thorough dental check up before you start treatment, the physicians and nurses may ask you to follow a very specific routine to clean your mouth and teeth. Again, it may seem silly to do this routine 4 or more times per day, but it can prevent you from obtaining a lethal infection in your mouth. Research has shown that it is important for the nurses to assess your mouth several times a day and for you to follow the oral care routine they give you.

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Spring - What Does the Season Mean

It is only March 1st. and Spring does not officialy start for several weeks, but it has been on my mind.

As in summer, Spring brings dayight hours that are greater or equal to 12 hours and rapidly increasing. Everything begins to warm, new plant growth starts. Snow (if any) begins to melt and flowering plants begin to bloom. As one season becomes another it may be hard if you are struggling with cancer to enjoy the little ways we know Spring is coming, but in other ways it may be very comforting. It may be comforting like by 2 black lab dogs that they keep coming back. And maybe this Spring there is a new hope for you or at least someone (or some mammal) that loves you unconditionally and will give you a wet slobbery kiss .

Take a few minutes and think about how you would like your journey to be this Spring.

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