Preparing for Colon Cancer Surgery: Answers to your most commonly asked questions
What should I ask my doctor prior to surgery?
Many patients find it helpful to write out a list of their questions and concerns so they are sure they won’t forget something important. If they haven’t already told you, you?ll want to ask the doctor if they know what stage the cancer is in, and if not, what type of tests will be needed to determine this.
Find out what type of treatment you may need prior to surgery, and ask how long you can expect to be hospitalized. You may want to ask about the type of medicine you will be given for pain and whether or not it is addictive. Also, inquire about the type of follow-up treatment that you may need such as chemotherapy or radiation.
When will I have to go into the hospital?
The majority of patients who are having colon cancer surgery will be admitted to the hospital one or two days prior to the procedure. Preparing for surgery will be much like preparing for a colonoscopy as the bowel will have to be thoroughly emptied and cleaned.
How long can I expect to be hospitalized?
This will largely depend on the type of colon cancer surgery you had performed, and whether or not the cancer has spread or metastasized. The condition of your overall health also plays an important factor in recovery time, but most patients generally spend seven to ten days in the hospital after their operation.
What should I do if I’m in pain?
First, call your primary health care provider for guidance, if they are unavailable someone else will be on call who should be able to answer your questions and provide you with additional information. Never hesitate to tell your doctor or wait to see if the pain will pass. Many patients make the mistake of suffering in silence either because they think nothing can be done to ease the pain, or simply because they don?t want to be a ‘nuisance’ by asking for help. Physicians may prescribe narcotics as a form of temporary relief from pain, and may also suggest seeking treatment through a specialist who is specifically trained to deal with issues such as chronic pain.
What type of prognosis should I expect following surgery?
The prognosis will depend on a number of factors such as your general health, what stage the cancer is in, and what parts of the colon are involved. A test to determine the levels of carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA), which is a protein normally found in the blood, will be administered prior to surgery, and then again in the months following the procedure. These antigens are usually present in the blood, however, elevated levels can be an indication of cancer.
If I have advanced colon cancer, what type of average survival rate should I expect?
Ask your doctor for their honest assessment, be prepared for their answer, and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Physicians can only offer educated guesses based on the survival averages of previous patients who have had colon cancer surgery. There are instances of patients being told they should expect a certain amount of time, such as six months to a year, only to outlive those numbers by decades. There are long-term cancer survivors within every stage of the disease, and averages are just that, averages.
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