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.

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 of these characteristics, such as our age and gender, are not under our control. These are called non-modifiable risk factors. By knowing the risk we cannot control, one can discover the need for colon cancer tests at an earlier age. Let’s find out more about these risks and how it can change the way we think about the timing of colon cancer tests.

While there are several lifestyle factors that play a role in the genesis of colon cancer, there are a series of stepwise genetic mutations that lead to this disease. Generally speaking, colon cancer develops over a long period of time. Most times we can catch colon cancer before it develops with various screening measures, including a colonoscopy. Let’s find out why colon cancer takes so long to develop and how we can use this to our advantage.

As we begin our colon cancer series, I would like to share some interesting facts about colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Colon cancer is also the second most common cause of cancer related death in the United States. About 140 men and women are expected to die from colon cancer every day.

Prostate cancer in the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the single most common cancer in men in the United States. Worldwide over 1000 men are expected to die from prostate cancer every day. In the United States men have a 12-13% lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer. Prostate cancer presents a unique risk to men with no easy answers on how to find this disease at an early stage. Let's summarize what we learned about prsotate cancer so far. Afterwards, I would like to pray for you!

When prostate cancer has spread outside the prostate gland to affect the lymph nodes of other parts of the body, this is called metastatic prostate cancer. If you have been told that you have this disease, do not be discouraged. This is not a death sentence. There are many men that live a healthy and fulfilling life with this disease. At times, a doctor may even wait to begin treatment for metastatic prostate cancer if there are no symptoms. When treatment is necessary, there are several things one can expect.

There are many types of treatments for prostate cancer. Along with other medications, some men are treated with surgery or radiation. At other times, prostate cancer does not need to be treated. It can be “watched,” or monitored from year to year. In our previous blog and podcast, we discussed how the Gleason score can help guide a treatment course for prostate cancer. In addition to the Gleason score, there are other factors, such as the PSA level and tumor stage, that will be help plan a path to treat prostate cancer. Let’s find out how the Gleason score, PSA level, and tumor stage are used to help formulate a plan to treat prostate cancer.

There are many types of treatments for prostate cancer. Along with other medications, some men are treated with surgery or radiation. At other times, prostate cancer does not need to be treated. It can be “watched,” or monitored from year to year. The decision for treatment with surgery, radiation or watchful waiting depends on many factors. One is these factors is called a Gleason score. After undergoing a prostate biopsy, a doctor that specializes in looking at tissues on microscope, also known as a pathologist, will give a score to grade the cancer cell from not aggressive to aggressive. This is called a Gleason score. Let’s find out more about the Gleason score and how this number can be used to guide the treatment of prostate cancer.

The choice to undergo a biopsy of the prostate is an important decision. After a PSA blood test, and likely an MRI of the prostate gland, are performed, you and your doctor may come to the decision that a biopsy of the prostate gland is best for you. With this biopsy, several small samples of tissues are taken from the prostate gland. In this way, the doctor will get better idea of the presence or absence of prostate cancer or the aggressiveness of these cells if found. Let find out more about you can expect before and after your prostate biopsy.

The decision to get a biopsy of your prostate is a big one. There can be anxiety while awaiting results. Once results are obtained, a cancer diagnosis can carry a heavy weight. These drawbacks are especially concerning when we consider a large number of prostate cancers are slow growing and will not cause death. Notwithstanding, there are some prostate cancers that are aggressive and deadly. Therefore, a prostate biopsy becomes an important means to identify and separate slow growing cancers for aggressive ones. Lest find out more about when you should consider getting a biopsy of your prostate.

You have decided to get a PSA blood test and it is higher than expected. The test is repeated, and remains elevated. When you look at you PSA blood test year over year, it has increased with time. You have a discuss with your primary care doctor and it is their recommendation that you consider a biopsy. A referral is placed to a urologist. Yet, before seeing the urologist you ask yourself: “should I consider an MRI of my prostate before undergoing a biopsy?” The answer in most case is “yes.” Let’s find out why.