Does anyone know anyone who has been...?

Question

Diagnosed with colon cancer? Is this an aggressive cancer...My grandfather wont tell me much.

Answer 1

As with any cancer each individual case progresses on its own speed. I am just guessing that your grandfather is about 60. A lot of people that age accept what the doctor tells them without question. People from that generation were taught to respect the fact that they were doctors and not to question them. As wrong as that sounds today, that is just the way it was 50-60 years ago. All to often that generation believes that the doctor will tell them what they need to know and when they ned to know it.

It would be a good idea for a family member to go with him to the doctors and the oncologists. One tends to become overwhelmed with the news of cancer. It is a good idea to have a second set of eyes and ears there to be sure that there aren't any questions.

You could look on the internet for answers, but I would advise against it. There are too many variables in cancer for the normal person to be able to get good info from the net. Start with the doctor.
What is the cancer?
Are there different types?
Is this agressive?
What can be expected for the future?
What medications and/or treatments are available?
What about surgery, pros and cons?
Do you have any information about his type of cancer?
What can we do to help him?

I lost my wife of 44 years two years ago. It is not an easy process, no matter the final outcome. One place to consider for help is HOSPICE. Hospice is designed for the terminally ill, but it provides help to the entire family.

May you have the strength to support your grandfather no matter his dicision.

Answer 2

Not to scare you but colon cancer if it cannot be "re-sectioned" is a death sentence. Normally when symptoms appear it, the cancer has already spread. Anyone over the age of 50 should have a colon exam at least each three years if you are over the age of 50. I have had polyps removed from my colon the last two times I had the exam. The last two polyps were the type that will develope into cancer. Don't forget the PSA test as at this moment I have cancer of the prostate gland. My PSA was on 4.9..Anyone over 40 should have this simple blood test.

Answer 3

My best friend's dad had it. It is pretty hard to diagnose colon cancer. some would find out that they have colon cancer would be on the late stage. In some instances, surgery can help take out the cancerous cells. If appropriate, chemotherapy can also be done.

Think your grandfather won't tell you much about his illness because he doesn't want you to worry. Or it may be that his illness is his own business and he doesn't want other people to know how bad it is.

Just be there for your granddad.

Answer 4

It can be aggressive but, each individual case is different. The stage at when it was diagnosed is also very important.

Incidentally, my grandfather was diagnosed with Stage IIa colon cancer almost 9 years ago. They removed it with surgery and he had adjuvant chemotherapy. He has been in remission ever since.

He ignored his symptoms (blood in the stool, abdomenal pain, fatigue, etc.) for over a year. So, in his case, it was not aggressive.

The time around the initial diagnosis is always the most scary. There are lots of uncertainities. So, I can understand the lack of information.

Answer 5

Not colon cancer, but breast cancer, two of my friends moms died of it, but if you are concern about it, there are many links you can find in the internet to help you, but do not worry to much on how aggressive is, worry more about finding enough time to spend time with your grandfather, to support him and make his life happier, then the rest the doctors will work on in, and the one who has the last word the Almighty will decide, pray a lot!!!

Answer 6

My dad, who is 78 had colon cancer 4 years ago. If it is caught early enough it can be treated with surgery, and if necessary chemo and radiation. I have had precancerous colon polyps removed, my uncle died and grandmother on my dad's side died of colon cancer. However, most doctors will tell you it is slow growing.

Sometimes older people don't want to talk about colon cancer because of stigma of it involving that part of the digestive tract that people often considere inappropriate conversation.

Answer 7

um, I think my granddad was diognosed with it, and he had it for at least 3 years before he died. He did not die however from the cancer, he had a blood clot. I am pretty sure that it is not very serious, and if I were you I wouldn't worry. You can find out more by googling it.

Answer 8

It depends if they caught it in time. If they caught it in time they can problaby get him well again but if he let it go to long without treatment then it may spread fairly fast. Your best bet is talk to you parents and see if they have an inside info on whether they caught it early or not.

Answer 9

Yes my father and grandmother, It can become aggressive once the person is opened up. But they can also catch it if it is not to far into its progress.

Answer 10

yikes. nope.