Having the Colon Cancer ‘Talk’ with Family
Knowing your family health history could mean the difference between catching colon cancer early, when it’s highly treatable and has a high survival rate.
Effective colorectal cancer care begins with an accurate diagnosis. At Henry Ford Health, we offer the latest tests and procedures, so you receive the answers you need promptly. After a colorectal cancer diagnosis, our experts work together to select the best treatments for you.
Whether you’re seeking a second opinion or have concerning symptoms, we’re here to help. When you turn to us for a colorectal cancer diagnosis, you’ll find:
You may need a colorectal cancer diagnosis if you have concerning gastrointestinal symptoms or abnormal results on a colorectal cancer screening test. Learn more about getting started with colorectal cancer care.
Talk to your doctor if you experience:
We start by doing a full medical history and performing a physical exam. Your doctor will ask about your health, symptoms and any known risk factors, such as family members with colorectal cancer.
We may use several tests to diagnose colorectal cancer:
Staging is the process of finding out if and how far cancer has spread (metastasized). This information is important for diagnosing colorectal cancer and determining the most effective treatments.
Staging varies depending on whether you have colon cancer, rectal cancer or anal cancer. A lower number indicates an earlier stage. Stage IV (4) colorectal cancer is advanced, meaning it has spread to distant parts of your body. At Henry Ford, our doctors have specialized expertise in metastatic colorectal cancer. We offer a range of innovative therapies for hard-to-treat cancer that helps people live longer.
In general, colorectal cancer is classified into these stages:
Some colorectal cancers arise from genetic changes inherited from parents. If your diagnosis may be tied to inherited cancer, we can coordinate genetic testing and counseling through Henry Ford’s Cancer Genetics Program. A counselor helps evaluate your risk for an inherited cancer syndrome, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis, and determine if genetic testing is right for you.
Knowing your family health history could mean the difference between catching colon cancer early, when it’s highly treatable and has a high survival rate.
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