Catching Colon Cancer Before It Spreads
- Melanie Brisbane-Schilling, a dating coach on the British version of ‘Married at First Sight,’ joyfully shared that her colon cancer has not spread and her tumor, she named “Terry,” has been removed after her colon cancer surgery
- When it comes to colon cancer prevention, screening is now recommended for everyone after the age of 45.
- One of the most common signs of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits. This ranges from constipation or diarrhea to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements. A change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor that lies deep in the colon.
- While catching colon cancer early is optimal, it’s important to know that even people diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, though incurable at this stage, are able to manage it more as a chronic disease, therefore it’s still possible to live an active life.
“Terry, you are the weakest link…goodbye! 👋🏼,” the psychologist, 51, began her Instagram post, referring to her former tumor. Schilling had just shared her diagnosis earlier this week on social media.
Read More“Over the coming days I will discuss my treatment plan going forwards but suffice to say that Terry is toast! 🥳,” the Australia-born wife and mother added.
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Schilling continued by saying she has been “absolutely blown away by the countless messages of support I have received from all of you beautiful people, I am so very touched and can honestly say it’s made a difference, so thank you all.”
The survivor also gave her hospital a shout out, saying she was “incredibly proud of the people of the NHS.”
Listing off the different departments who helped her through her journey so far, she said, “I owe all of these wonderful people my life and I will be forever indebted to them. The NHS is a unique, precious institution we need to make sure it’s here to serve our children and our children’s children.”
Schilling culminated her post with some post-surgery holiday cheer. “Now, it’s time to focus on getting my ass out of here in time for Christmas 🎄.”
In an earlier Instagram post, Schilling said her first symptom she experienced was stomach cramps, and luckily she knew something wasn’t right and kept persisting even though she was told, at first, it could just be constipation.
Like any cancer, it is optimal to catch it as soon as possible in order to achieve the best prognosis possible, and colon cancer in particular is much easier to beat in earlier stages, that’s why early screening is crucial — and knowing your family history.
However, it’s important to know that even patients diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, though incurable at this stage, are able to manage it more as a chronic disease, therefore it’s still possible to live an active life.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
One of the most common signs of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits.
This ranges from constipation or diarrhea to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements. A change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor that lies deep in the colon.
RELATED: Dr. Paul Oberstein Explains Colon Cancer Symptoms to Look Out For
Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain like Schilling experienced, and unintentional weight loss.
Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period of time, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.
What Happens After a Colon Cancer Diagnosis?
Overall, receiving a cancer diagnosis can be highly overwhelming, and the decisions regarding workup, treatment, and further testing can be difficult to navigate.
This applies to any cancer and is especially true with colorectal cancer as the field continues to evolve and more is understood about the disease leading to additional options for testing and personalized treatments.
As you make decisions regarding your treatment and additional testing that can be performed with your colorectal cancer, it is important to discuss these options with your doctor and the rest of your healthcare team and ask questions when topics aren’t clear.
What to Ask My Doctor About Colon Cancer Testing
If you aren’t satisfied with the answers you are receiving or the options provided, it is encouraged to obtain a second opinion — or multiple — in order to get a better picture of the current status of your disease and available options.
Although there are countless questions to ask, and the importance of each can vary based on your disease and individual factors, here is a list of potential questions to ask your doctor about further molecular testing for your colorectal cancer.
Does my colon cancer put my family members at greater risk?
Specific genes or mutations in DNA can be inherited and passed down from parents to children. Specific warning signs or factors in your personal or family history could point to your colon cancer being caused by an inherited DNA mutation.
These factors include but are not limited to:
- A personal or family history of multiple colon polyps
- A personal diagnosis of colon cancer at a young age (<50 years old)
- A personal or family history of multiple cancers diagnosed in one individual
- A family history of cancer diagnosis at a young age (<50 years)
- A family history of multiple people with a cancer diagnosis,
Is there any additional testing that needs to be done to understand the risk?
If there is a concern you might have an inherited cancer-causing DNA mutation, you will typically be referred for genetic counseling, undergo additional questioning and a more extensive look into your personal and family history, and undergo germline testing if indicated.
Colon Cancer Introduction to Prevention and Screening
Germline testing looks at your DNA for a variety of known inherited DNA mutations that can cause cancer. Negative results let you know there is likely not an increased risk of developing cancer from an inherited DNA mutation.
If positive, it can prompt additional testing by family members. If they are also carriers of this DNA mutation, it allows them to be proactive and undergo early screening of potential cancers they are more at risk of developing, ideally catching them at earlier stages making curative treatment more effective.
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