The 411 on Colon Cancer

By Shaneka Simmons Patterson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

The Scenario

You notice your mother is losing weight. She’s secretly having bloody stool, stomach cramps, periods of alternating constipation and diarrhea. You take her to her primary doctor who says it’s colon cancer at age 73. She’s quickly referred to a specialist who gives her options, but strongly recommends surgery followed by chemotherapy. She goes home to “think about it,” but her mind is made up. Months pass by, she’s too afraid to return. She feels it’s improper for a white man to look under her dress. Her family finally manages to talk her into proceeding, and she has the surgery. Against the doctor’s true wishes, she opts for chemotherapy in the form of a pill instead of an infusion, but only takes one dose and quits because she doesn’t like the way it makes her feel. Months pass as she doesn’t return for any follow up. You notice that she again begins to lose a lot of weight, and you again take her back to her primary doctor, but it’s too late for any viable intervention as the cancer has spread. The doctor tells you, she may have 6 months to live and she dies at age 74. This is not only my grandmother’s reality and therefore my family history, but it’s many others as well.

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The Stats

So, what are the fast facts? According to U.S. Cancer Statistics,

  • Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. Heart disease is first.

  • Colon and rectal cancer are the third leading cause of death in black America. Behind lung and breast in black females. Behind lung and prostate in black males.

The Symptoms and Risk Factors

  • Colon and rectal cancer may cause symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, bloody stool, abdominal pain, or inconsistent stool patterns.

  • Risk factors of colon cancer are those over age 50, black, with a history of polyps, and with a family history of colon cancer.

  • Those with low-fiber, high fat diets, diets high in red meat, minimal or lack of physical activity, obesity, excessive alcohol use, or tobacco use are all controllable risk factors.

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Colon and rectal cancer happen along the intestinal tract (gut) or the organ that holds and releases your “bowels” as my grandmother would say. Cancer happens when normal cells begin mutate is fast growing and multiplying of abnormal cells. Cancer of the colon or rectum usually begins small with clumps of abnormal non-cancerous cells that could form polyps or tissue growths/bumps. Over time, these can become cancerous. Therefore, vigilance and proper screening is important. Things like a simple outpatient colonoscopy procedure used in the screening process could remove polyps before they mutate into cancer. And, if it does become cancer, you have options: surgery to remove the affected part, chemotherapy (powerful chemicals to kill cancerous cells), radiation therapy (high beams of energy directed toward the affected area used to kill cancerous cells), or none of these things. There is power and sometimes peace in free will.

The Takeaway

  • Get a colon cancer screening if you are over age 50 or have any of the symptoms.

  • Make changes in the risk factors you can control.

  • Educate yourself, and don’t be afraid to say something about things affecting you.

  • Seek out a healthcare professional who listens to you, your needs, and wishes (this part is extremely important). And, don’t be afraid to keep seeking until you find the right provider for you!

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