Colon Cancer
What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is a life-threatening growth or tumor in the large intestine (colon). Most commonly colon cancer begins as a colon polyp, which is a pre-cancerous growth in the lining of the colon that is quite common among people in their 40-50s. It typically takes at least 10 years for a polyp to turn into a tumor or cancer. About 130,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer every year, and sadly about 50,000 will die. Fortunately, colon cancer is 90 percent preventable. By getting routine screening tests, like a colonoscopy, as recommended by your primary care doctor, gastroenterologists can remove precancerous polyps and largely prevent colon cancer from occurring.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
Symptoms of colon cancer typically only occur very late in the disease when cancer treatments are much less likely to be helpful or successful at curing the disease. This is why colon cancer screening is recommended even when no symptoms are present. The most common symptoms of colon cancer are blood in your stool, change in bowel habits, decreasing caliber of stool (more narrow stool) and abdominal pain. Iron deficiency anemia is another common diagnosis associated with colon cancer.
How is colon cancer diagnosed?
Colon cancer is diagnosed almost exclusively with a colonoscopy. This is a test your doctor may order, which is performed by gastroenterologists. A flexible tube with a camera on the tip is inserted into your rectum and advanced through your colon while you are sedated (asleep with the aid of medication). The lining of your colon is carefully inspected, and abnormalities can either be removed or biopsied (tissues sampled) to help confirm the diagnosis.
How is colon cancer treated?
Colon cancer is often treated by a team of doctors including an oncologist (cancer doctor), surgeon and radiologist. Depending on the severity of the cancer, the treatment may include chemotherapy, surgical removal of the tumor and radiation therapy.
Our experienced team of physicians and advanced practice providers at Associates in Gastroenterology can help you with your concerns,questions and management of all aspects of gastrointestinal and liver disease. We would love to be your gastroenterology practice. Please schedule an appointment either by calling us (719-635-7321) or by clicking here.
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Locations
North Location – St. Francis Medical Campus – St. Peregrine Pavillion
6031 E Woodmen Rd #100
Colorado Springs, CO, 80923
Central Location – Audubon Medical Campus
2940 N. Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO, 80909
Endoscopy Centers of Colorado Springs – Audubon Medical Campus
2940 North Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO, 80909
Endoscopy Centers of Colorado Springs – St. Francis Medical Campus – St. Peregrine Pavillion
6031 E Woodmen Rd #100
Colorado Springs, CO, 80923