Help and Coping

Ask the doctor: surgery vs. chemotherapy treatment options

Ask the doctor: surgery vs. chemotherapy treatment options

Cancer treatment options can be confusing, especially when initial treatments are not as successful as anticipated. This Ask The Doctor question comes from a reader who was diagnosed with colon cancer at a young age and is now in the process of gathering information about future treatment. Submit a question to the doctors Get Your [...]

How to prevent infection when visiting the doctor

How to prevent infection when visiting the doctor

Healthcare-associated infections, those that patients acquire while receiving medical treatment, are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2002, they accounted for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths. These statistics cause particular concern for cancer patients [...]

Cancer survivors benefit from yoga

Cancer survivors benefit from yoga

The regular practice of yoga helps cancer survivors sleep better, says a new study by the University of Rochester Medical Center. As part of the research, a customized yoga program was developed which combined both Hatha and restorative forms. Hatha yoga includes asanas (postures) for all levels and breathing exercises designed to balance the mind [...]

Ask the Doctor: common side effects of colorectal cancer surgery

Ask the Doctor: common side effects of colorectal cancer surgery

This month, an Ask the Doctor question comes from the wife of a cancer survivor who is concerned about her husband’s post-surgery symptoms. As part of our Ask the Doctor program, readers send questions related to health, wellness, colon cancer prevention, screening or treatment. Our panel of experts responds. This month, Dr. Deborah Nagle, M.D., [...]

Book review: When the Trip Changes, A Traveler’s Advisory to Colorectal Cancer

Book review: When the Trip Changes, A Traveler’s Advisory to Colorectal Cancer

In Carol Ann Larson’s book, When the Trip Changes, A Traveler’s Advisory to Colorectal Cancer, the survivor narrates the story of her diagnosis, treatment and recovery from colon cancer. She interlaces the story of her trip to Italy, a journey she takes near end of her medical battle. While it may seem that these two [...]

How to get the best colon cancer care: An interview with oncologist Neal Meropol

How to get the best colon cancer care: An interview with oncologist Neal Meropol

Neal Meropol, M.D. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that oncologists treating newly diagnosed colon cancer patients often do not comply with recommended protocols.  The article examined the issue of how to evaluate physicians who treat cancer patients.  According to a report by UnitedHealthcare, some patients with colon cancer receive tests and [...]

Women and cancer: Important warning signs

Women and cancer: Important warning signs

The stories of cancer patients often inspire hope and courage, particularly when the disease hits those who are young and active. But those stories also offer important information about physical symptoms that warrant medical attention. Recently, WebMD published a list of warning signs most often ignored by women. The list included persistent and unexplained pain, [...]

A video compilation of your heartfelt messages

A video compilation of your heartfelt messages

In mid August, the Colon Cancer Coalition helped promote efforts by the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Alert Network to bring the real voices of cancer survivors, caregivers and concerned citizens to the ears of legislators. A blog post at GetYourRearinGear.com, gave readers information about submitting their own voice messages to the organization. Now two months [...]

Survivor Story: Jaimie Mattes:  a model for surviving colon cancer

Survivor Story: Jaimie Mattes: a model for surviving colon cancer

Jaimie Mattes is a remarkable 39-year-old colon cancer survivor.  I say remarkable, because Jaimie has not been silent with his recovery.  He has been loud. In 2008, he won the Get Your Rear in Gear Advocacy Award from the Colon Cancer Coalition.  He also modeled for the 2009 Colondar and volunteered for a Minnesota Cancer [...]

Video message to cancer survivors

Video message to cancer survivors

Watch as Dick Woodruff, ACS CAN’s lead advocate in Washington, talks about his meetings with the White House and Congress as he negotiates for lower health care costs and to prevent people from being denied coverage because they survived cancer. Tell five friends to to stand with the American Cancer Society for better health care [...]

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