Saturday, March 28, 2009

Conflicting ct scan results following stage 1 colon cancer

Conflicting ct scan results following stage 1 colon cancer?
My dad got his ct scan results today. The radiologist saw a soft tissue nodule where the stomach meets the intestine. His surgeon says there is nothing there. My question is who is better qualified at reading the images. I would assume the surgeon since his speciality is colons. Please advise
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
A radiologist's specialty is the reading and interpretation of these kinds of tests, so he's the expert. I would want further testing done such as a biopsy. Good luck.
2 :
I had stage one colon cancer....I would go with the surgeon. Your dad should have a colonscopy if he hasn't already had one. The dr.'s saw my cancer while they were doing a routin colonscopy. He was 99 percent sure it was cancerous just by it's look. They take a small piece (you don't feel a thing) and they send it out to see if it is cancerous or not. A ct scan will show if it has spread to other organs.
3 :
Usually general surgeons do colon surgeries. However, this is the radiologistâ€™s specialty and they are better qualified. What does the radiologist say about the nodule and what do they recommend? Also, this has nothing to do with his colon cancer and a colonoscopy would never reach this area. What the surgeon could mean is that he felt the area during surgery and did not find anything there. They usually inspect the surrounding areas during surgery.

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Under chemotherapy for colon cancer. Is there anything that can tamper off mouth numbness (the

Under chemotherapy for colon cancer. Is there anything that can tamper off mouth numbness (the?
oral numbness like after a dental procedure)? The oncologist has already reduced the amount of chemo drugs twice.
Cancer - 1 Answers
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1 :
I was getting mouth sores, but the oncologist was able to give me medicine that would heal them within a day or so. I get the numbness in my mouth just after the leucovorin part of the FOLFOX (I take the 5FU over 46 hours), and it lasts about 3 days. Beyond not eating cold foods or drinking cold drinks, there's really nothing I know of to do, and my oncologist was preparing me for everything.

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Bowel movements and colon cancer

Bowel movements and colon cancer?
Does holding in bowel movements always lead to colon cancer? If so, how can this be prevented from happening? Also, does anyone know of a good colon cleanser that I can buy at a local pharmacy chain?
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
You should be having a bowel movement at least once a day, more often if your diet is high in fiber, fruits and vegetables. There is no logical reason why anyone would want to "hold" a bowel movement except to teach your bowel not to work correctly. It does not cause colon cancer directly but your diet is a contributing factor to colon cancer. No one needs a colon cleanser. Your bowel is a naturally self-cleaning organ and if you put the right things in there - lots of water, fresh fruits and vegetables (both cooked and raw) and high fiber breads, there will never be a need for any colon cleanser. The use of these promotes poor bowel function later in your life and you don't want a bowel that can't work without chemicals.
2 :
Holding BMs doesn't cause colon cancer but it does cause constipation and hemorrhoids. It is better to go when you have to go than hold it. If you just need a stool softner you can easily find those in the pharmacy under laxitives. That would be the first step as people get habituated on laxitives. Do drink a lot of fluids and add fiber to your diet. Fiber supplements are also usually found under laxitives. You really need to keep up with your fluids for this to work well. You can also get some bran and sprinkle it on just about anything. It gives a crunch to things and no unpleasant taste. Keep up or increase your exercise. All of these things are important to a healthy bowel program. If you have to use a laxitive be careful what you use. Some are really harsh and cause bad cramps. Mirilax is a new one on the market for over the counter use. It has been used only by Rx. I have no idea why. It is a sort of powder that you put in any liquid. It does not have a taste and usually works without cramps. There are other things to do but unless all else fails I would not recommend them. Enemas are one thing and suppositories are another. If your bowel habits change without reason, like holding it or stomach flu, that is a danger sign. If there is blood in your BM that is another. Check the American Cancer Society website for all the danger signs for colon cancer. Regular colonoscopies after 55 are recommended. Not holding your BMs will solve most of your problems I think. If none of this works you really need to see an MD.
3 :
The others have given good answers, but I should clarify that constipation (which means overlong retention of excrement as well as difficulty passing it) almost certainly is a direct cause of constipation because of the increased intestinal auto-intoxication that results. For more information, I recommend browsing the colon health webring.

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Monday, March 16, 2009

16 year old male that needs help here.TMI Is this colon cancer

16 year old male that needs help here.TMI Is this colon cancer?
yesterday when i wiped my butt there was alot of streeks of blood on it. But ever since then there has been no blood. My buttcrack has been itching lately is this colon cancer?
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
Unlikely. Much more likely to be anal cracks from hard stools. Or hemorrhoids. See a doctor if you are concerned.
2 :
There are other causes for blood besides colon cancer, but I'm guessing you got a little google 'happy'. It could be a hemorrhoid, anal fissure, or that you're constipated.

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

My Dad had colon cancer in his 30's, what are my chances of getting it

My Dad had colon cancer in his 30's, what are my chances of getting it?
He claims he got it from his "work environment" and that F.A.P doesn't run in our family, could he be lying and is there truth to what he said? he made it past the 5 year survival rate.
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
On 10% of cancer is hereditary, colon cancer is not one of them. Good luck
2 :
Congrats to your dad on the five year survival that really great, for colon cancer, Your father may think he got his cancer from his job but most likely he doesn't know if there was a family history or not because it can and will skip generations and he may not know if his family had it generations ago. I have a friend who adopted three children from the same family and they were not able to find a family history of colon cancer, all three of the kids got colon ca, when they were in their late teens and early twenties. They were all dead by the age of 23. So my advise to you is be very vigilant about your colon health. You would be very wise to have a colonoscopy now to be sure you don't show signs of polyps or any other problems. Your doctor will advise as to how often you need to be followed up. But it turned out thier father's story was much the same as yours.
3 :
http://www.medic8.com/genetics/hereditary-colon-cancer.htm This material may help you
4 :
There can be a hereditary link but no-one really knows. I think it is just one factor of many. You should have a diet with enough fibre and not too much red meat to improve your chances. With early detection there is now a high survival rate. P.S. I am not a doctor.
5 :
Iâ€™m not sure what you mean by he made it past the 5 year survival rate. The five year survival rate is the percentage of people with the same cancer at the same stage who are alive 5 years after diagnosis, so anyone alive 5+ years has made it past the 5 year survival rate. With colon cancer that ranges from 100-5 %. People with a first degree relative with colon cancer are twice as likely to get colon cancer as a person with no family history. However, only 15% of all patients with a first degree relative with colon cancer actually get colon cancer themselves. So you can see your chances are still not great. It is recommend that if you have a first degree relative with colon cancer you start screening when you are 10 years younger than they were at diagnosis. It is impossible to say why he got colon cancer at such a young age. No one knows what causes cancer. However, when someone young gets an older persons cancer it is an indicator of a hereditary disease and there are more than just FAP, but they are rare. I could go into a whole boring explanation about gene mutations which would not matter to you. The point is to make sure your doctor knows your family history and you get a colonoscopy when you are 10 years younger than your dad. This test will give you and your doctor a wealth of information about your colon health and your doctor will be able to give you recommendations from there. EDIT: Cancer does not skip generations.

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Sunday, March 8, 2009

I am a 62/f i feel movement lower stomach like a baby. I know im not had surg could this be sym colon cancer

I am a 62/f i feel movement lower stomach like a baby. I know im not had surg could this be sym colon cancer?
Ive heard this could be colon cancer. i have no other symptons beside i have CHF.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
I don't know. God bless you. See a doctor please.
2 :
you need to see your doctor for this. symptoms of colon cancer are change in bowel movements, rectal bleeding, problems having bowel movements, abdomial pain.

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Does having a history of serious constipation increase my chances of getting colon cancer

Does having a history of serious constipation increase my chances of getting colon cancer?

Other - Diseases - 2 Answers
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1 :
Perhaps, although not directly linked having easte products in direct contact with your bowel wall cannot be good for you. Also people with severe constipation are not always able to get cleaned out well enough for a colonoscopy or may not get them as regularly as they are supposed to, so perhaps small abnormalities that would normally be removed would be missed.
2 :
There may not be a causal connection, but a primary cause of constipation is also a primary cause of colon cancer: not getting enough fiber in your diet. Adding more fiber to your diet can help prevent or reduce several more health problems, so I highly recommend finding ways of adding more whole grains, legumes, fruits and veggies to your daily diet.

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

My to b father inlaw w diagnosted w colon cancer. Need help w expense of colosipy bags

My to b father inlaw w diagnosted w colon cancer. Need help w expense of colosipy bags?
Moved out here from Michigan. Need contact. No charge 4 bags there. Here $100 a box. He's 87 yrs old. w limited funds.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
You didn't say which state you're in now, but most areas have a Council On Aging or something similar. There should be a listing in the phone book under elderly services or social service agencies.They can direct you to someone who can help.
2 :
Hello, http://www.hollister.com/ This company supplied my husbands supplies for free.

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