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Colon Cancer Survival Rates

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Colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when found in the early stages. However, just like any other disease, it is more difficult to cure as the illness progresses. Let’s examine each stage of colon cancer and its corresponding survival rates, according to the American Cancer Society:

Stage 0

The cancer is isolated to the innermost lining of the colon. The tumor and surrounding tissue can be removed, and the patient is considered cured.

Stage I

The colon tumors have spread beyond the inner lining of the colon to the second and third layers or even the inside walls of the colon. Surgery to remove the cancer and surrounding tissues offers a five-year survival rate of 93 percent.

Stage II

Colon cancer has spread through the muscular wall of the colon, but is not present in the lymph nodes. Treatments can include surgery, as well as chemotherapy for a small percentage of patients. The five-year survival rate for stage II colon cancer is 78 percent.

Stage III

The cancer has spread past the colon to one or more lymph nodes. Stage III colon cancer is divided into three subcategories:

  • IIIA— Tumors are within the colon wall but lymph nodes are affected
  • IIIB— Tumors have grown through the colon wall and have spread to one to four lymph nodes
  • IIIC— Tumors have spread to more than four lymph nodes

Treatments may include surgery to remove the tumor and lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiation. The five-year survival rate for stage III is about 64 percent, but patients who have fewer lymph nodes affected have a better prognosis.

Stage IV

Colon cancer has spread outside the colon to other organs such as the liver and lungs. The tumor can vary in size and may or may not affect the lymph nodes. Treatment may include:

  • Surgery to remove the diseased colon and reattach the healthy colon
  • Removal of parts of the liver, lungs, ovaries or other affected organs
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Drugs used in conjunction with chemotherapy

The five-year survival rate for stage IV colon cancer is about 8 percent (Source: Web MD).

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Colon cancer has a highly favorable prognosis when the cancer is discovered early. The best way to stay colon cancer-free is to schedule regular colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is the most effective test to diagnose colon cancer or remove suspicious polyps. Colon cancer is the only cancer that has a screening that provides both prevention and treatment in the same examination. Find out more about when you should have your baseline colonoscopy by contacting a treatment center near you.

What are the Different Types of Polyps?

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You have most likely heard of colon polyps. Polyps are the precursor of colon cancer. Did you know that there are different types of polyps? Polyps can be knobby or flat, and some polyps tend to be benign while some polyps are at higher risk for cancer. Let’s go over the basic categories of polyps:

Hyperplastic polyps

> These polyps are small and circular, measuring less than ¼ -inch wide. Usually, hyperplastic polyps are benign. However, if hyperplastic polyps are discovered on the right side of the colon, they should be completely removed because they carry risk for cancer.

 

Adenomas

> Adenomas tend to be circular in shape as well. They account for about 75 percent of all colon polyps, so they are certainly the most common. These polyps are considered precancerous and should be removed. If adenomas are left to grow, they can turn into cancer. There are three types of adeonomas:

 

  • Villous—tend to be the largest and are most likely to become cancerous
  • Tubular—tend to be the least likely to become cancerous
  • Tubulovillous—considered to have a higher risk of malignant transformation than tubular adenoma

Flat Polyps

> Many polyps are easy to detect because they appear like a mushroom. Some polyps are flat, and these can be easily missed during a colonoscopy. Sometimes called lesions, flat polyps can be just as deadly as circular polyps. More studies are revealing the dangers of flat polyps, and gastroenterologists are taking special measures to look for flat polyps during colonoscopies. Flat polyps can be removed just like other types of polyps, but viewing them can be difficult because they appear level or like a small indentation.

 

Rely on the Expertise of Your Doctor

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While round or circular polyps are much more common, a significant percentage of cancers are found in flat, depressed growths. In fact, researchers found that flat growths are nearly 10 times more likely to be cancerous than polyps. Because flat polyps can be so dangerous, it is important to have a thorough colonoscopy. A skilled gastroenterologist can identify and remove suspicious polyps during the procedure, and a trained pathologist can review specimens to examine for cancerous cells. Now that doctors know more about flat polyps, they know what to look for during the exam (Source: NBC News).

The patient has a responsibility as well. Your preparation for the procedure will make it easier or more difficult for the gastroenterologist to see. A complete colon cleanse is essential for maximum viewing, especially for flat polyps. If you have questions about how to effectively prepare for your colonoscopy, talk to your doctor or read “Your Guide to an Easy Prep.”

Does a Colon Polyp Always Mean Colon Cancer?

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Most colon polyps are noncancerous tissue that can sometimes develop into colon cancer. Colon cancer usually begins as a polyp, or a growth on the inner surface of the colon. Polyps are made of clumps of cells that grow slowly over time. If left to grow, larger polyps can bleed or even block the colon. In the most severe cases, polyps can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

Do polyps always mean colon cancer? Not at all. Having colon polyps increases the likelihood to have more polyps in the future, but it does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer. Having polyps will make you a candidate for more routine colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is the most effective type of screening method for colon cancer. Your doctor can examine the entire colon for precancerous polyps and remove any suspicious polyps during the procedure. For larger polyps, a biopsy can be taken during the colonoscopy to test for cancerous cells.

Regular colon screenings are important because polyps can move progressively from noncancerous to cancerous. There are two main types of polyps in the colon and rectum:

Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps
These polyps are not at high risk for becoming cancerous, except for large hyperplastic polyps on the right side of the colon. These polyps are more concerning and should be removed entirely.

Adenomas and adenomatous polyps
These are considered pre-cancerous and should be removed. Often, if left alone, these polyps can turn into cancer. One specific type of condition is called familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited disorder in which patients develop multiple noncancerous polyps in their teenage years, and polyps progressively become malignant.

Colon cancer and cancerous polyps often have no symptoms, so the most important thing to remember is to talk to your doctor about how often you should be screened. Regular screening significantly lowers your risk for colon cancer, and the disease is highly treatable when found in the early stages. Not all polyps are cancerous, but don’t take a chance. Schedule your colonoscopy today by contacting one of our treatment centers.

Five Red and Purple Foods To Avoid Before Your Colonoscopy

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Preparing for a colonoscopy is not necessarily a cup of tea. However, it is a necessary process that needs to be taken seriously and completed thoroughly. On the day before your colonoscopy, you have a very detailed regimen of laxatives that you must take to completely cleanse the colon. Along with the laxatives, you may have clear liquids such as coffee, tea, clear soup or broth, soda, juice and water.

In addition to clear liquids, there are actually a few treats that dissolve into clear liquids which are on the safe list. These foods can “fool” your brain into thinking that you are eating. However, you must remember that anything RED or PURPLE is off limits when it comes to colonoscopy preparation. Red dye or purple dye masks the lining of the colon and can interfere with getting accurate results.

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Here is a Top Five list of red and purple foods and drinks to avoid before your colonoscopy:

  • Jell-O—Avoid strawberry, raspberry, cherry or black cherry and grape
  • Popsicles—Avoid any red or purple in a variety pack. Try the natural frozen fruit bars made with real fruit juice. There are some delicious lemon or tangerine pops that are made with 100 percent fruit juice. Just make sure that there are no bits of fruit in the popsicle, and it is juice only.
  • Kool-Aid—It’s been a while since you have had Kool-Aid, hasn’t it? Unfortunately, most Kool-Aid flavors have red or purple dye. Lemon, lime or orange Kool-Aid is acceptable but no grape, cherry, fruit punch or strawberry.
  • Italian ice—This delicious treat is tasty enough to make you forget you are prepping for a colonoscopy! Just remember to avoid strawberry. Choose lemon.
  • Juice—No grape, pomegranate, cherry, cranberry or cranberry cocktail juices are permitted. Stick with apple juice or white grape.

Talk to your doctor to get more information on colonoscopy prep. A wonderful resource can be found on the Colon Cancer Alliance website called Todd’s 6-Day Colonoscopy Prep Guide. Take the time to write out a menu for the days preceding your colonoscopy and make a special trip to the grocery story with your list in hand. Following the correct steps ensures an accurate colonoscopy!

Find out if you’re eligible for a free or reduced cost screening colonoscopy

5 Tips to Conquer the Colonoscopy Prep

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We all know how getting a colonoscopy can save lives. But the minute we hear the word “colonoscopy,” our minds immediately think about the prep that must be taken to clear out the colon. An article from Men’s Health offers five tips and tricks that can make the prep day more comfortable:

  1. Modify your menu: before taking the bowel prep, you need to spend a day on a clear diet of easily digestible liquids to help clear out the colon. Broth and Jell-O are some of the approved foods, but you can also have Italian ice, coffee and hard candies to shake up your flavor palette.
  2. Diaper rash cream is not just for kids: as unpleasant as this may sound, you might experience something akin to a diaper rash as a result of the bowel prep. Diaper rash cream can help with this irritation.
  3. Stay busy: a good tip for the day when you’re taking bowel prep is to stay home and stay busy. Plan an activity or project that will keep you moving for most of the day. The more you move around, the better your stomach empties.
  4. Keep the liquids coming: need a way to make the prep taste better? Try mixing it with some Crystal Light, and chase it with cranberry juice. Also have plenty of water handy.
  5. Make your bathroom more entertaining: you’ll be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Why not move your TV in there? Or keep some books handy. Whatever can make that time move faster and maybe offer you some distraction is highly encouraged.

These tips are great ways to make your prep day slightly more enjoyable, and if all goes well with your colonoscopy, you won’t have to do that again for another 10 years!

Are there other ways you have tried that have helped you conquer the prep? Let us know! Share your tips and tricks on our Facebook page or email us at info@stopcoloncancernow.com. We’d love to hear from you and share what you’ve learned with the StopColonCancerNow.com community!

Colonoscopy as the Gold Standard for Colon Screening

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Colon cancer is one of the most common and most treatable cancers. In 2013, it is expected that colon cancer will claim the lives of over 50,000 Americans. Since the risk of developing colon cancer is 1 in 20, it is in your best interest to learn more about prevention and early detection for colon cancer. If you are over 50, you should ask your primary care physician about getting an initial screening. Individuals who are African American or who have a family history of colon cancer or exhibit other risk factors should seek early screening.

There are many different screening methods, but the colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a gastroenterologist inserts a lighted probe into the rectum to look for lesions, polyps and abnormalities in the lining of the colon. One of the best advantages of a colonoscopy is that cancerous polyps can be removed during the procedure if they are discovered. If your colonoscopy is clear, you will not have to have another procedure for 10 years.

Still, as good as this sounds, there are people who will opt out of testing. Many are scared off by the anticipation of pain during the colonoscopy. Most people choose to be sedated, either conscious sedation or total sedation so you will not feed pain during the procedure. Other people dread the prep for colonoscopy and having to stay close to a bathroom all day. There is really no other way to make it more bearable or pleasant, but take heart that if you the preparation correctly the first time, you won’t have to do it again for another decade. Give your cleansing day your best effort because a thorough cleanse will allow your doctor to see even the flattest lesions on your intestine.

There are other methods of colon cancer screening besides the colonoscopy. A flexible sigmoidoscopy involves a flexible tube being inserted into the rectum, but not as far into the colon as a colonoscopy. This test has to be done every five years instead of every ten years. Another test is the double-contrast barium enema, which also has to be done every five years. A virtual colonoscopy has gotten a lot of attention these days, but recently Medicaid Services has refused to pay for the test. As with other testing, when insurance will not pay for the procedure many people will not choose to be tested.

A colonoscopy is the best screening method because it is the most comprehensive exam and allows for polyp removal during the procedure. It is estimated that between 60 to 90 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone over 50 chose to have a colonoscopy. That is 30,000 to 45,000 lives that could be saved! If you have never had a colonoscopy before, take a few moments to view some FAQs and find a treatment center near you.

Orzo: The Little Pasta with Big Benefits

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With the warm weather of spring finally upon us, it’s time to say goodbye to all those heavy dishes reserved especially for winter like chili and lasagna. But if you are not ready to pack up pasta all together, one type that easily makes the transition from winter to spring is called orzo. Orzo resembles large grains of rice and is perfect for making light pasta dishes that go well with the blossoming of spring.

Orzo is commonly made from white flour, but it can be made from whole-grain flour as well, making it a healthier pasta option. A two oz. serving of orzo is 200 calories. This small pasta is a good source of carbohydrates; one serving of orzo contains 42 grams of carbohydrates and two grams of fiber. You can get more fiber from this pasta by choosing orzo made from whole grain flour instead of white flour. The protein found in orzo, seven grams per serving, can also help boost your energy levels. You can increase the amount of protein in your diet by eating more of this small pasta and pairing it with other sources of protein such as salmon, shrimp or chicken. Orzo is also a good low-fat pasta option with only one gram of fat per serving.

Eating more pasta, including orzo, is a good way to keep you full longer. In 2009 the British Journal of Nutrition found that consumption of pasta may help you take in less food per day (Source: Livestrong).

While orzo may be eaten alone, this versatile pasta makes it easy to pair with any sauce, veggies, meat and cheese.

Caregiver Needed: Bringing Someone to Your Colonoscopy

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Many events in life require a good deal of planning, and a colonoscopy is no different. While it’s much less exciting than planning a vacation, a colonoscopy requires much preparation and forethought. What you may not know is that you should not got to your a colonoscopy alone. Let’s talk about some reasons why you will want to have someone accompany you on the day of your colonoscopy.

On the day of your procedure, you will have an empty stomach and colon from the prescribed prep. This process cleanses your colon and can cause gas and discomfort. The prep may not have completely worn off by the time of your appointment, so you will definitely be more comfortable with a friend or family member driving.

Typically before the procedure, you will receive intravenous medication that will relax you during the 30-60 minute operation. When the colonoscopy is complete, you will be taken to a recovery room until you are alert. You may experience cramping and bloating due to the air in your colon from the procedure. The combination of sedation and the discomfort of the procedure makes it imperative to have support. In fact, you should not drive a car or operate machinery until the day after your procedure.

A colonoscopy is a major procedure. Take the time to ask a loved one to come with you to this important appointment. You will feel supported and cared for, and it will be an opportunity for your caregiver to learn more about this essential part of preventative care.

Your Guide to an Easy Prep

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A colonoscopy is certainly not a walk in the park, but it might be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Colon cancer is 90 percent treatable with an early diagnosis. Surprisingly, the patient plays just as important of a role as the physician in a successful colonoscopy. For a thorough colonoscopy, the patient must adhere to physician guidelines to assure that the colon has been completely flushed.

During a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a lighted flexible plastic tube into the rectum, and a camera attached to the tube will assist the doctor to see polyps, lesions and abnormalities in the colon. These abnormalities could become cancer in the future, so maximum visibility is imperative. A recent study from The American Journal of Gastroenterology found up to eight percent of colon cancers go undiagnosed because the colon has not been adequately cleansed.

A successful colonoscopy begins with the patient’s thorough preparation. Colon cleansing is usually a combination of liquid laxatives and a liquid diet during the day before the procedure. These liquids will stimulate bowel-clearing diarrhea. No solid foods should be consumed on the day before a procedure, but these liquids are typically acceptable (ask your doctor for specifics):

  • Broths
  • Soft drinks
  • Tea
  • Coffee (no milk or creamer)
  • Clear juices
  • Jell-O (any color but red, blue or purple)

It is very important to avoid foods with insoluble fiber such as nuts, seeds, hulls or skins. This could impair the doctor’s view of the colon and possibly miss flat polyps that are difficult to view  (Source: Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide).

Typically, you can also follow these tips on the day before your exam (contact your doctor for his/her recommendations):

  • Eat plain cereal with milk for breakfast
  • Eat a light lunch consisting of soups without vegetables
  • Drink clear liquids only
  • Do not eat solid foods
  • Drink a large volume of the special cleansing solution and/or special oral laxatives recommended by your doctor

Your doctor may have a specific regimen for their patients to follow, and sometimes that list can be tedious. Now, there is an app called “Colonoscopy Prep Assistant” to help patients in the prep stage of a colonoscopy. Brett Shamosh, co-founder and CEO of WellApps created the technology to act as a tracking companion. The app will track the number of glasses of solution the patient has consumed and also give reminders of the next dosage .

So do yourself a favor; follow your doctor’s prescribed schedule to fully prepare for your colonoscopy. Whether it’s a printed schedule on your refrigerator or an app on your phone, you can help your doctor give you accurate results so you will not have to repeat this less-than-pleasant procedure.

“Ugh! Heartburn again?” – Tame the Flameand Make Your Colon Happy, Too

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Surely everyone is familiar with the burning sensation that all too often accompanies the after-dinner mint following a heavy meal. You know the acidic taste you get in your mouth after burping? The pressure in your chest that makes you wonder if you just might be having a heart attack? That’s heartburn.

In a Q&A on Caring.com a reader asked, “How are heartburn and colon cancer related?” The answer gives us a clear indication that there is a probable link between heartburn and colon cancer. “A reoccurring heartburn can sometimes be a key sign towards determining a more severe case with digestive disorders. We all experience heartburn occasionally but a prolonged feeling of heartburn is likely due to another cause and needs medical attention as soon as possible.” [Read more…]