Colon Cancer Support

Question: my boyfriends dad has colon cancer that mestasized to liver what support could i offer? Im sure the dad would appreciate company ...and i wanted to make some meals but wasnt sure the best food for someone with colon cancer I know he has a hard time going to the bathroom....any thoughts?

Answer: Offer to help in any way possible. As far as food is concerned, ask what kind of food he's eating. He is dying. Having company, doing little errands, cleaning house, etc. all sounds like great ideas.

Question: why is there more support for breast cancer and not colon cancer? i think its cuz of that fact its women vs men! and people feel like women will need more help

Answer: No it's nothing to do with gender. Where did you get the idea that colon cancer is a 'male' cancer? In the UK colon cancer is the third most common cancer in men, and the SECOND most common cancer in women. I'd be surprised if the statistics are different in the US. I agree that awareness needs to be raised about other cancers too.and while I hate 'competitive illness' I can see why there is resentment about an imbalance in awareness raising and fund raising. BUT...the reason breast cancer is so high profile is simple - sheer hard work. Breast cancer awareness campaigns and BC Awareness Month started as a campaign by ordinary women, many of them with cancer, to raise awareness so that people knew the symptoms, examined themselves regularly, attended their routine mammograms etc. Enthusiastic participation and hard work by women made it grow into something nationally, then internationally, recognised (and then big business cashed in). Any group of people can start such an awareness campaign for any illness. There are other cancer awareness months, ribbons etc; but no cancer campaign has had the sheer hard work put into it that breast cancer awareness has. If colon cancer awareness is a cause close to your heart (good for you if it is) there is nothing to stop you and a few friends starting a campaign in the same way those few women who started the whole breast cancer awareness campaign did. You'll have to be as dedicated as they were and work as hard as they did though.

Question: I am looking for a group that I can get moral support with my husbands colon cancer, any suggestions?

Answer: There are several online resources . . all non-profit organizations that offer support for caregivers and patients with colon cancer. You can try the: Colon Cancer Alliance - offers support and resource information. http://www.ccalliance.org/ Also there is an online email group for colon cancer that offers information and a place to talk with other caregivers and patients with the disease: ACOR: Colorectal Cancer Discussion List http://listserv.acor.org/archives/colon.html You can also check with CancerCare which is a free online non profit organization of medical social workers who offer support to all cancer patients, families, and caregivers: CancerCare http://www.cancercare.org/ Good luck to you.

Question: I need to join a support group for people who have colon cancer.?

Answer: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/colon_cancer_support/ here is a yahoo group ~there are others hope this helps

Question: Do you support colorectal cancer legislation in all 50 states? Only 25 states mandate insurance companies to pay for colon cancer screening. See what your state's grade is for colorectal cancer screening: http://www.eifoundation.org/national/nccra/report_card/flash_movie.html You can go to www.myspace.com/dmsteach and sign my guestbook if you support colorectal cancer legislation. You can also email your congress reps and senators especially if your state has a failing grade. Thank you.

Answer: Yes I do. Cant believe so many states dont have the mandates.

Question: cancer support in northern illinois? My mother was given a few months to live after being diagnosed with colon cancer. That was 5 yrs. ago. She is facing yet another round of chemo and even tho she has endured so much the past 5 yrs. she has remarkably kept her spirtit & humor. I would like to find a cancer support group so she can talk to others who actuallly DO know what she is feeling. I looked online but most groups are "online groups". She isn't fond of the computer. She lives in northern illinois (near Waukegan) but is also close to the Wisconsin border. I would be willing to bring her. If there isn't such a group, is there anyone who is dealing with cancer , lives in Waukegan, Northbrook, Highland Park and those areas or the south part of Wisconsin that would like to meet 1X or 2X a month with others living with cancer? I would be willing to coordinate something if anyone is interested. Or, anyone knowing of such a group, I would appreciate whatever info you might have. Thank you all.

Answer: I recommend Loyola's Cancer Center in Maywood. They have once/month meetings, which are coordinated by a lovely social worker. They have a range of topics from just supporting eachother to speakers for patients and caregivers. I've been to them and I highly recommend them. They also tend to bring pizza, which is also a plus. See the link below for more info. All the best.

Question: Can you help with my cause for colon cancer? Could you please sign and forward my guestbook through bulletins and email for people to sign? In the message box, type I support colon cancer laws in America. Please don't wish me a happy birthday. :) Thanks. It is to support colon cancer laws. 13,000 people under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with colon cancer every year. Around 150,000 people total are being diagnosed every year. And 56,000 people are dying from it every year. It's the 2nd leading cause of death in the country yet only 25 states support colon cancer screening for the unisured and the insured. My wish if for 600 to sign by my 43rd birthday on June 29th. http://www.slide.com/r/ax4_Qfe57j91EvjmEAj-qVKogxY4EKC-?previous_view=449&action_details=9%3A0

Answer: I say we cut to the chase and talk about getting some actual medical care for ALL of the people in this country....for ALL of their conditions - not just specific ones.

Question: day 2 since surgery.. colon cancer..thanks to all who have been giving me support..? I am at day 2 of my dads recovery from colon surgery.. i was at the hospital all day.. didn't want to tire him out, so went in to his room every hour for a few minutes ..to let him know I was there.. How does one know.. if its too much for a person.. visiting? Surgeon has not contacted mom and I, about how the surgeyr went..or if the cancer has spread.. we left message..nothing.. is this common practice..or is no news, good news? Thanks too all, thahave been helping me these weeks.. really got me through some rough evenings/nights. I just can't wait till morning.. to go and see him.. the nights (I live alone)..are the worst.. tx Christine

Answer: With all of the privacy issues, Doctors may not be talking because your Dad has not given them permission. Does that sound like something your Dad might do? If not, you and your Mom should ask. If you are spending a lot of time in your Dad's room, let him set the tone. If he is not talking, stay quiet. I took cross stitch to do when sitting in my Dad's room. When he wanted to sleep or watch TV, I stitched. If he wanted to talk, we talked. Hang in there.

Question: Are there any support groups for family members of a cancer patient in the Manchester,Nh area? My Father in Law has been diagnosed with colon cancer and it has now spread to the liver.. My wife is looking for possible support groups in the Manchester, Nh area for family members in which she could attend.. Thank you...

Answer: Call your local American Cancer Society--they are a great resource! Check them out at www.cancer.org Good luck to you!

Question: Why is support for breast cancer so common? I know it's a very common cancer, but very few men actually get it, mostly women. Why isn't there much support for cancers such as colon cancer? Is there some sort of thing against men or what? I don't think you read my question Rachel... I didn't mean that only men get colon cancer, that is stupid. It's just that you hear more about breast cancer. For example, everybody knows what the pink ribbon stands for. What color do they use for prostate cancer? Have you ever seen one? No. This is going to be hard to pick a best answer lol I have no idea who to pick for best answer so I'm putting it up for voting :/

Answer: The answer to your question is 'hard work'. Breast cancer awareness campaigns and BC Awareness Month started as a campaign by ordinary women, many of them with cancer, to raise awareness so that people knew the symptoms, examined themselves regularly, attended their routine mammograms etc. Enthusiastic participation and hard work by women made it grow into something nationally, then internationally, recognised (and then big business cashed in). Any group of people can start such an awareness campaign for any illness. There are other cancer awareness months, ribbons etc; but no cancer campaign has had the sheer hard work put into it that breast cancer awareness has. Oh, and the prostate cancer awareness ribbon is blue. I think sometimes the pink fluffy 'fun' aspects of breast cancer awareness can lull people into a false sense of security - it's important to keep hold of the fact that breast cancer is a deadly disease with disfiguring surgery, grueling treatments and no cure and that it kills an average of 112 women every day in the US (that's one every 15 minutes) and 33 women each day in the UK. No, nothing against men. In fact, in the UK colon cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and the third most common in men, so any perceived neglect of colon cancer is not 'anti-men'. If prostate and colon cancer are causes close to your heart (and good for you if they are) you and a group of friends could certainly start a campaig along the lines of the breast cancer awareness campaign, and I wish you success - you are right, all types of cancer need more awareness. You'll have to be prepared to work as hard though.

Question: Supporting a cancer patient. How can I help support? My mother in law is about to undergo surgery for colon cancer and I would like to be able to offer her spritual support as she has been and eck for many many years and has made many pilgramages to the Chanhassen MN facility. My feelings that I am getting from her are that she is ready to give up and may not fight for her life. As someone not well educated in this religion, I am not sure how to help her. I only wish to respecet her beliefs and wants, but am not sure of the best way to do this. Can you help adivse me in this area?

Answer: Take her by the hand, tell her you love her and ask her what you can do to put her mind at ease. She may need help with meals, shopping, getting her papers in order.. Once she is finisher her surgery, she may require chemo. I know this isn't any help to you with the spirtual part, but as a terminally ill cancer victim I know its very helpful to have someone help fill out the mounds of paper work that needs to be done, then all she will have to do is sign them.

Question: How do I start a blog like the one I just read about cancer.? I have a brother, age 34, dying from colon cancer too. I would love to have a support group since I cannot turn to my mom or dad. They are having a hard time with this too. I just want to be able to type in my feelings and get answers from others on what I may expect from all of this.

Answer: I'm sorry about your bother. Wordpress.com is the best place to get a free blog that is ready to go "out of the box". All you need to do is sign up (for free) and you're ready to go.

Question: Why colon cancer screening at 50 and not earlier? Can anyone point to the data which supports that screening should start at age 50? I don't understand why not 40 or 30 say. Curious numerically how they came up with that.

Answer: This article states that 90% of people who develop colon cancer are over age 50. http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2000-rst/667.html This one says that "Age 50 was determined as the starting age for screenings because that is the age that the risk for colon cancer begins to increase substantially. People with a history of colon cancer in their family should come in for a screening at age 40 rather than 50." http://www.medicalmoment.org/_content/risks/mar04/210268.asp

Question: Help with colon Cancer.? I have a paper to write about colon cancer. State your essential question clearly Explain personal interest or connection to question Tell what you already knew about the topic Describe the sequence of steps you followed in your search Problems you encountered, how you solved them How did your question change When did it get interesting? How diud people contribute in helping you do ur search? Intergratee information from various sources Support with main ideas Explain how your knoledge has grown If u help me, i will choose you as my best answer! remember, im researching colon cancer

Answer: Do your own homework.

Question: My 21y/o daughter has advanced colon cancer. Hospice wont give her TPN which mean she will leave me sooner. ? Watching my daughter suffer everyday is very hard. She has a colostomy, a g-tube, she rec'd TPN 12 hours each day and she has a pain pump. Each day I watch her at things gets worst she vomit green bile all the time. And now she has alot of rectal bleeding. Her Dr wants me to put her in hospice so I can get the support and help I need. However hospice wont give her TPN what do I do? Say no to hospice and try to do it myself or say yes ( knowing she cant get TPN) I think it will be like pushing her to leave here sooner than the lord wants. Please give me any advice. I don't know what to do at this point. She's only 21 years old.

Answer: If your daughter is actively dying than TPN will not save her . . it will just make the dying longer and more difficult as her body will struggle to remain alive. You can offer her food if that is what you wish and if she is hungry she will eat it . . but again that may do her more harm than good at this point. You really need to decide now what is best for your daughter and not what is best for you. I understand how difficult this choice is . .because we made the same choices with our son. You need to talk to your daughter honestly and openly and find out what her wishes are . . does she want to continue fighting . . does she want TPN . . does she want to come home on hospice care? It really needs to be her decision and not yours. Now is the time for you to be strong as you help your daughter . . you gave her life . . and helped her grow . . and now she needs your help as she passes from this world. She needs your confindence, your support, your dedication, and love. This final journey will be the hardest thing you will ever do in your life . . and possibly the most important thing as a parent you have ever done. Let your child go in peace. I understand.

Question: My best friends dad just got cancer! What do I do? I just found out that my best friend's dad has colon cancer. I do not know how to comfort her. Any suggestions besides just being a good friend and supporting her? What can I do to help her take her mind off the stressful situation?

Answer: What a great friend you are. I have recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and my daughter (12) has a best friend too. Don't be afraid to talk about the cancer with your friend. It will help her to open up and talk about her feelings. Be a good listener, and have her over for a sleepover on a weekend. Even though she'll want to be with her Dad, she too will need a break. Talk to your parents and let them know your concerns and what your family could possibly do to help. Talk about where you can get information about colon cancer and what help is out there. School councillors are there to help. You don't have to be the affected person to talk to a school councillor. They can help guide you to help your friend too. I'll say a prayer for your friends Dad. I'd be proud to have you as a friend.