A Mother's Fight
- When mother of 5 Claire started experiencing severe abdominal pain and changes in her bowel movements, she had a colonoscopy which revealed she had stage 3 colorectal cancer. She went into remission after six months of chemotherapy, but the disease later returned and progressed to stage 4.
- Colorectal cancer refers to any type of cancer that starts in the large bowels, such as the colon. The disease begins when polyps grow from the inner lining of the bowel. Usually these polyps are harmless, but if left untreated, they can become cancerous.
- Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, changes in stool color, as well as anemia.
Claire knew instinctively that something wasn’t right when the abdominal pain later progressed into changes in bowel movements and bloody stool. She started to grow extremely weak because of the blood loss, and her doctors scheduled her for a colonoscopy. After going through the screening, her doctors informed her that she had stage 3 colorectal cancer. She was initially scheduled to go through surgery to remove the tumor, but due to its size, Claire went through six months of chemotherapy treatments and froze her eggs in case she wanted more children.
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Colorectal Cancer: What Is It?
Colorectal cancer refers to any type of cancer that starts in the large bowels, such as the colon. Depending on where it begins, patients may be diagnosed with either colon cancer or rectal cancer. The disease begins when polyps grow from the inner lining of the bowel. Usually these polyps are harmless, but if left untreated, they can become cancerous. It is the third most common cancer in the United States, and the second most deadly if left untreated.
The good news is that colorectal cancer is often preventable with regular screenings, such as a colonoscopy. In fact, research shows that as many as one third of all colon cancer deaths could be prevented by annual screenings.
Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms
Unlike other types of cancers, where you can spot discolorations/changes on the outside of your body, colon cancer is trickier. The cancer forms on the inside, so it's important to recognize early signs of colon cancer and consult your doctor immediately if you feel that something is different.
Dr. Paul Oberstein breaks down symptoms of colon cancer
- Change in your bowel movements: While there is a varying spectrum of "normal" bowel patterns, you should be on the lookout for anything that is outside of your personal normal. You should also pay attention to any change in the caliber, or size, of your stool. If your stool looks unusually thin, this may be a cause for concern.
- Change in stool color: If your stool is bright red or black, you should seek prompt medical attention. This could be indicative of a serious issue that may pertain to colon cancer.
- Pain in the abdomen: If you're experiencing unusual pain in the abdomen region, and it's not related to a menstrual cycle, you may want to consult with a doctor.
- Unexpected weight loss: Disregarding factors like stress and worry which can lead to diet changes, and thus, weight loss if you are losing weight and you don't know why, consult your doctor.
- Anemia: Be on the lookout for increased feelings of being tired or weak; this subtle change in energy may be the result of anemia. If you suspect you may have anemia which can be caused by iron deficiency (this is the most common type of anemia), vitamin deficiency, and more you should consult a physician. Anemia can be one symptom of colon or colorectal cancer.
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