The Believers Medicine Podcast

We have learned a lot in our journey to discovery more about colon cancer and some of the ways we can prevent this disease. During our colon cancer series, we learned some interesting facts about colon cancer as well as risk factors for this disease. We also learned how to make changes to our diet and lifestyle in order to lower the risk of colon cancer. We discussed colon cancer symptoms and the importance of early screening and detection. We discussed several screening methods for colon cancer and treatment options based of the stage of this disease at the time of diagnosis. Finally, we took a closer look at stage 4 colon cancer and discovered this disease is curable. Let’s review each topic in detail. Afterwards, I would like to pray for you.

We know that finding colon cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable can drastically improve survival rates. Prevention and screening are the best ways to fight colon cancer. If colon cancer is discovered when it has spread to other organs and parts of the body, this is called stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. This is the most advanced stage of colon cancer. Surgery and chemotherapy are needed to fight colon cancer at this stage. There is a sinking question: Is stage 4 colon cancer considered curable? The answer is yes! Let’s find out why.

If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, it is important to know your treatment options. Some early-stage colon cancer can be treated with surgery alone without the need for chemotherapy. When colon cancer has been given time to grow, surgery and chemotherapy can be needed. The treatment course depends on the stage of your disease. There are 4 stages of colon cancer. With each stage we will discuss the treatment course. Let’s find out more about each stage of colon cancer and how it is treated.

We have discussed many options for colon cancer screening including the FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test), Stool DNA test (Cologuard by trade name) and colonoscopy, which is considered the gold standard for detecting colon cancer. There is another option for colon cancer screening called a CT colonoscopy. Another name for CT colonoscopy is “virtual colonoscopy.” Let’s find out more about this virtual colonoscopy and whether this test is right for you.

If you have decided to undergo a colonoscopy, congratulations! You have made an important decision to change the trajectory of your health and prevent a deadly cancer from affecting your life and those around you. In preparation for your colonoscopy, there are some changes to you diet and medications that should be held prior undergoing a colonoscopy. You doctor will provide both written and verbal instructions of the things change. A week before your colonoscopy, make sure read the instructions at least twice. Let’s find our more about what things will look like before and after your colonoscopy.

One of the pitfalls of the FIT and multitarget DNA test (trade name Cologuard) is the inability to find polyps. A poly is a small growth on a stalk. Think of a skin tag in your colon. Some polyps are harmless. Others have malignant potential. Polyps that can turn into cancer are called adenomas. An adenoma is the middleman of cancer.  As we wrap up our discussion on screening tests we will take closer look at a gold standard, the colonoscopy, which is critical for finding and removing polyps and adenomas.

Having a realization that colon cancer is a serious disease that is largely preventable is half the battle. Once you make the commitment to be tested for colon cancer, there is another challenge to determine which test is best for you.  As we continue our discussion of colon cancer tests, we will take a closer look at a test that can pick up cancer DNA in your stool. This is called a multitarget stool DNA test, but it is also known as Cologuard, which is the trade name.

Having a realization that colon cancer is a serious disease that is preventable is half the battle. Once you make the commitment to be tested for colon cancer, there is another challenge to determine which test is best for you. Some tests can detect early-stage disease, while others can find pre-cancers. For this discussion, let’s find out more FIT stool blood card.

Before we begin our discussion on the symptoms of colon cancer, it is important to realize that it is our goal to detect colon cancer before symptoms develop. When we begin to have symptoms of colon cancer. This is why it is extremely important that you have a colonoscopy to detect cancer before it develops. With that being said, it is important to know the most common symptoms of colon as a means to uncover this diagnosis in those who have not had a colonoscopy. Colon cancer symptoms include changes in the way someone passes their stool, abdominal pain, anemia or weight loss. At other times, one may have no symptoms at all. Let’s find out more about the symptoms of colon cancer.

There are a number of characteristics about ourselves and choices we can make that place us at a higher risk for colon cancer. As with many cancers, some factors, such as eating a healthy diet, controlling diabetes and becoming more active, are under our control and influenced by the decisions we make. These are called modifiable risk factors. By knowing the risks we can control, we are better able to make lifestyle choices that can keep colon cancer at bay. Let’s find out more about some of the things we can do to lower our risk of colon cancer.