When to Seek Medical Attention
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
If you've received a diagnosis of rectal cancer, it's important to ask your doctor the following questions:
- Where exactly is the cancer located in my body?
- How extensively has the cancer spread?
- What treatment choices are available to me?
- What is the main objective of the treatment in my particular case?
- What potential risks and side effects are associated with the proposed treatment?
- Could I participate in a clinical trial?
- What criteria determine my eligibility for a clinical trial?
Follow-up Care
Due to the possibility of rectal cancer recurrence after treatment, regular follow-up care is essential. This typically involves scheduled visits to the doctor's office for physical examinations, blood tests, and imaging procedures.
Additionally, it is advisable to undergo a colonoscopy one year after being diagnosed with rectal cancer. If the results are normal, the procedure can be repeated every three years.
Prevention
The most effective way to prevent rectal cancer is through appropriate colorectal screening, which enables the detection and removal of precancerous growths. Screening tests for rectal cancer include the fecal occult blood test and endoscopy.
If there is a family history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative (a parent or sibling), colon and rectum endoscopy should commence ten years before the relative's diagnosis or at the age of 50, whichever comes first.