Medicare 101
Learn the basics of Medicare from licensed agents with Medicare Concierge Services, a partner of Henry Ford Health. Both in-person and virtual...
Colon cancer is a disease caused by cancerous cells that grow in the tissues and muscles of the colon. The colon is the first part of the large intestine. It helps convert digested food into waste that leaves the body as stool.
Colon cancer (also called large bowel cancer) is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S., diagnosed in nearly 100,000 people each year . Henry Ford cancer specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating colon cancer.
Learn more about colorectal cancer diagnosis or about our colon cancer specialists.
People from across Michigan choose our program for our comprehensive colon cancer care:
People with colon cancer may have symptoms similar to those of other gastrointestinal disorders such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you experience potential colon cancer symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a colon cancer specialist.
Potential colon cancer signs include:
Doctors do not yet know what causes most colon cancers. But certain factors can increase your risk for developing colon cancer. Some you can change (such as lifestyle choices) and some you can’t (such as inherited genetics).
Colon cancer risk factors include:
We provide tailored colon cancer treatment, with safe therapies to effectively treat the disease, minimize side effects and avoid damage to healthy tissue.
Colon cancer treatment typically involves surgery, with most of our procedures avoiding the need for a permanent ostomy. More advanced cancers may also need chemotherapy, or targeted radiation therapy for cancers that have spread. Learn more about our colorectal cancer treatment.
Learn more about our colorectal cancer treatment.
Polyps are abnormal growths in the colon that may turn into cancer if left untreated. Polyps can:
When doctors find polyps during colonoscopy, they often remove them immediately. This approach can decrease your risk of colon cancer.
Physicians may use one of two techniques to remove polyps. They can:
Your doctor will send the polyps to a pathology lab for more testing. It can take about a week to receive the results. If your doctor finds polyps during your colonoscopy, you may need further tests for an accurate diagnosis.
A colonoscopy takes about 30 minutes, but it requires some preparation. A day or two before a colonoscopy, your doctor will ask you to complete a bowel prep. This includes a liquid diet and strong laxatives to empty your colon -- stay near a bathroom as you may need to go frequently.
Here’s what to expect the day of the appointment:
You can go home after the test. You will probably still be sleepy from the medicine, but you can return to your usual activities the next day. Your physician will call you with the results of your colonoscopy.
Negative results mean the doctor did not find polyps. Your physician will advise you on when you should have another screening. If the doctor finds polyps, the doctor will biopsy the polyps they remove and examine the tissues for cancer under a microscope.
We offer a service called Open Access Colonoscopy. Patients can schedule routine screening colonoscopies without first going to a gastroenterologist. This saves patients time and money.
You may schedule an Open Access Colonoscopy as long as you are:
If you have multiple health concerns, a nurse will preview your medical records and consult a doctor first. Some insurance plans do not cover preventive health screenings. Check with your insurance carrier to determine your coverage.
Although most people who are diagnosed with colon cancer are older than age 40, some patients are younger. We may recommend genetic counseling for these younger patients and their family members.
If you may be at risk for an inherited cancer, we’ll work with you and our genetics team to recommend next steps. And, we’ll help you and your family members navigate any additional screening or care you may need.
Contact the cancer team 24/7 by calling
Learn the basics of Medicare from licensed agents with Medicare Concierge Services, a partner of Henry Ford Health. Both in-person and virtual...
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