TREATMENT AFTER SURGERY
 
After surgery, the doctor will inform you the stage of your disease based on the pathology report. If the doctor finds that chemotherapy or radiotherapy might be useful to you, he will refer you to see an oncologist. Some patients or their family and friends have the preconception about the bad adverse effects of chemotherapy and are not keen on chemotherapy even without consulting an oncologist. By visiting an oncologist, you are not obliged to agree to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It will be better for you to consult an oncologist and find out the benefits and potential adverse effects about these treatments before making your decision. The oncologists also would not recommend any such treatment if in their opinion, the patient is not fit to go through it.

FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY 

After surgery or chemotherapy / radiotherapy, follow up care is important in detecting tumour recurrence or development of new cancer at another site of colon. Follow up checkups may include a physical examination, tumour marker test, colonoscopy or imaging(CT scan or PET scan). The frequency of follow up will be less frequent if there are no signs suggesting tumour recurrence. However, any new symptoms develop between follow ups, the patient should report to the doctor as soon as possible.

SEEKING SUPPORT 

When you are first diagnosed with cancer, you may feel afraid, sad, depressed, angry or frustrated. It may be helpful to talk about your feelings with your partner, family members, other cancer survivors and friends, or with a hospital counsellor, social worker, psychologist or your religious or spiritual advisor. Sometimes you may find that they do not know what to say to you or they may have difficulty with their feelings as well. You may prefer to ask a close family member or a friend to talk to other people on your behalf. 

DIET

A balanced nutritious diet is important before and after you start on cancer treatment. Good nutrition will ensure you are healthy and able to cope with the stress associated with surgery and adverse effects secondary to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There are some myths that the more we eat, the more nutrients we will provide to the cancer and this is not correct. 

CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS 

Cancer support groups offer mutual support and information to people with cancer and to their families. It can help to talk with others who have gone through the same experience. Support groups can also offer many practical suggestions and ways of coping.

Support groups in Malaysia are listed below. Please contact them for further inquiries.

• National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Johor Branch
• Majlis Kanser National (MAKNA), Kuala Lumpur
• National Cancer Society Of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Branch
• National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan Branch
• Cancerlink Foundation, Penang Branch
• Badan Sokongan Pesakit Kanser Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang
• Cancerlink Society of Malaysia, Kuantan
• National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Perak Branch
• Cancerlink Foundation, Ipoh Branch
• Cancer Society of Sabah (CSS)
• National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch
• Kanser Network (KanWork), Selangor
• PRIDE Foundation, Selangor
• Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, Selangor
• CancerLink Foundation, Selangor

PREVENTION

Besides maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet, public awareness about colorectal cancer screening is important. Screening methods include faecal occult blood test and colonoscopy screening. By detecting cancer or pre-cancerous polyps early, it will lead to early treatment and almost always allow cure.
 

 

 

 
 

Updated:: 13/03/2019 []