"Mention colon cancer and images of distasteful exams or life without normal bathroom habits may fill your thoughts." The good news is that for most people, this is simply not the case. If you've put off testing, I hope this information will help calm fears that may be a part of that decision.

During my five years at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, I focused on helping colon cancer patients and others with gastrointestinal cancers. If you are diagnosed with colon cancer, the physicians at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders offer you excellent medical treatment, as well as, compassion and concern. If you have more questions, please call 817.759.7000 to schedule an appointment with me or send me an e-mail at www.AskDrHenry.org.

To meet the special needs of colon cancer patients, the following services are available:

Colon Cancer Detection

Early Detection Strategy
Here is a short list of factors from the American Cancer Society that have been shown to have a positive effect in preventing colon cancer:

• Have a screening test for colorectal cancer so growths (polyps) can be removed before becoming cancerous. This test is called a colonoscopy.
• Reduce fat in your diet.
• Receive adequate daily calcium. Take a multi-vitamin containing folic acid and magnesium.
• Get enough exercise, at least 30 minutes daily.

Colon Cancer Treatment

Before Surgery: As a vital part of our commitment to colon cancer patients, Dr. Xiong is willing to meet with patients prior to surgery or at any point during treatment. At any time, you can contact him with questions or suggestions at AskDrHenry.org or by calling 817.759.7000 to schedule an appointment.

At The Center, we provide a Relaxation Class with proven methods for reducing stress and enhancing healing before or during chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Some of the techniques taught in this free class include relaxation methods, guided imagery, and deep breathing.

Surgical Answers: If a questionable area is discovered, the next step is diagnosis. When the presence of colorectal cancer is confirmed, surgery for removal of the tumor is usually the only required treatment--if the cancer is found in the early stages. We are very fortunate to have a number of highly qualified surgeons in the north Texas area.

For a patient with the more advanced stages of colon cancer, chemotherapy after surgery will improve the possibility of a cure. Many new treatment options for advanced colon or colorectal cancer have been developed within the last five to ten years. It is important to talk with your doctor about the best treatment for each unique case.

We encourage colon cancer patients to visit with a medical oncologist before surgery, in order to be better prepared for their entire treatment program.

Laboratory and Radiology Services: Extensive laboratory and radiology services are available onsite at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Many visits during your journey with colon cancer will involve lab tests and scans. The convenience of making only one trip for all needs or of returning to a familiar location is part of the success of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center of Excellence concept.

Chemotherapy: After surgery, chemotherapy is often recommended for advanced stages of colorectal cancer. This treatment takes place in order to treat the entire body to kill any undetected cancer. Chemotherapy is a combination of drugs that kill fast-growing cells like cancer.

There are many chemotherapeutic options now available for colorectal cancer, that were not available five to ten years ago. Besides traditional chemotherapy drugs, there are biologic agents available as well, such as bevacizumab, cetuximab, and pantiumumab. It is important to ask you doctor about all treatment options.

In addition, there are a wide variety of new medications to help patients effectively manage pain, nausea, fatigue, or infection.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is not usually a treatment for colon cancer.

Electronic Medical Record Sharing: The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders creates an electronic medical record for each patient. This provides maximum confidentiality for the patient and also offers the medical care team immediate access to vital information. For example, there is no delay in sending medical history from your medical oncologist to the radiation oncologist. It is all available with a few touches of the keyboard.

Patient Support Services: The Gastrointestinal Cancer Center of Excellence concept focuses on the patient as a whole. This means emotional and spiritual support, as well as, medical treatment. We offer the following services to assist you and your loved ones in dealing with all aspects of a colon cancer diagnosis:

• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Nutritionist
• Chaplain and Meditative Services
• Psycho/social professionals
• Financial Assessment
• Social services
• Support Groups
• AskDrHenry.org website devoted to your questions