Colon cancer made up 7.6% of all new cancer cases and 8.7% of cancer deaths in 2024. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the risks, likelihood, or symptoms associated with this illness until they already have it. This can make it harder to get well.
Knowing more about colon cancer — or colorectal cancer — before anything happens can drastically affect your chances of survival and wellness if you do experience this illness. And part of this knowledge basis is a clear understanding of the treatments available.
Here at Boca Care Surgical Associates, we focus on minimally invasive surgical techniques for managing colon cancer. Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS, will determine which treatments you need based on the severity of your condition as well as other factors.
First, you should know that colon cancer sometimes has no symptoms. It might not affect you in ways you’ll notice. However, it’s common to experience diarrhea and/or constipation, rectal bleeding, cramping in the abdomen, and weight loss as a result of this disorder.
If you have risk factors for colorectal cancer, it’s also important to stay vigilant. These include a familial history of this disorder, being overweight, living with diabetes, or having another type of intestinal disorder.
People can develop colon cancer at any age, but it’s important to be screened for this illness regularly after turning 45. If you don’t have any serious risk factors, being screened every 10 years is sufficient, but those who have higher risk factors need to be screened more often.
There are a number of treatments for colon cancer. In fact, when polyps are found in the colon during a screening, it’s helpful to have them removed, even before determining if they’re cancerous. This kind of surgery is preventative but incredibly beneficial. Dr. Belizon uses a scope to view inside your colon and special tools to remove the polyps.
If this is the only concern, your colorectal surgery will likely be minimally invasive and easy. However, if you’re already dealing with cancerous polyps, you might need more thorough treatments as well as more regular screenings.
Unfortunately, sometimes, colon cancer progresses past the polyp stage, and the actual tissue of the colon is affected. When this occurs, Dr. Belizon is able to remove some of the tissue and reattach the remaining healthy tissue, allowing you to avoid serious issues down the line. This treatment is more invasive but highly beneficial for patients in more advanced stages.
Finally, some patients don’t have enough healthy colon tissue to reattach after surgery. If this is the case, Dr. Belizon surgically creates a hole in the wall of your abdomen, allowing waste to leave your body into a colostomy bag.
Like with other types of cancer, there are additional treatment options beyond surgery, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, to name a few. Clinical trials are focused on additional treatments, and science is allowing for new discoveries all the time.
But when is surgery the best option? If the cancer hasn’t spread to other sites and is currently located only within your colon, this is when surgery is often the first recommended treatment. It will allow for the removal of cancerous cells or tissue and hopefully prevent its spread. Every patient is different, however, so it’s best to discuss with your provider.
If you’re over the age of 45 or you have a familial history of (or other risk factors for) colon cancer, it’s always a safe bet to get screened. Then, if there are any concerns, you can discuss treatment right away.
To learn more about our treatment plans for colon cancer, call our Boca Raton, Florida, office, or visit us online now.
