Choosing Your Colorectal Cancer Care Team
To help make treatment decisions about your colorectal cancer, it’s helpful to first consult with a medical oncologist. As a patient of Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, you will have access to our colorectal cancer specialists at any of our locations across Colorado, including Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver.
While surgery may seem like the logical first step, some cases can benefit from a different approach. Visiting with the medical oncologist first will help determine the best treatment for your particular situation.
Who is Part of the Colorectal Cancer Care Team?
Colorectal Cancer Treatments
Non-Surgical Treatments
Typically, the choice of colorectal cancer treatments depends on the location of the tumor in the colon or rectum and the stage of the disease.
Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
The right surgery for each patient varies based on the stage of cancer. Learn more about the various colorectal cancer surgeries.
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Free Guide for Newly Diagnosed Colorectal Cancer Patients
Get helpful tips from the RMCC team on what to expect and how to prepare your mind and body for colorectal cancer treatment. Tips for your family too!
Understanding Colorectal Cancer
Every colorectal cancer patient will receive a personalized treatment plan based on quite a few different factors. Here are several important aspects of creating a colorectal cancer treatment plan.
Types of Colorectal Cancer & Stages
Colorectal cancer is a collective term used to describe cancer that starts in the colon, rectum, or both. Knowing the stage of the cancer will help the care team at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.
Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trials
Colorectal cancer clinical trials help develop new treatment options and allow many patients to receive newly developed therapies or investigational drugs not yet available outside the study.
Colorectal Treatment Side Effects
Colorectal cancer side effects can vary from person to person, depending on the type of treatment. While every individual is unique, there are some common side effects that people with colorectal cancer often face.
Getting Ready for Your First Appointment
The first oncology appointment is often the most difficult one, so we recommend that you take a relative or friend with you as a support partner. Not only will they be there to provide emotional support, but they can also listen and help take notes on all the information you will be receiving. For more information about your first visit with a Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers oncologist, visit our New Patients’ webpage.
Keep a Notebook
As a cancer patient, you’ll receive a lot of information from your oncologist— much of which can be hard to remember. To stay organized, we suggest getting a notebook to keep a record of your important information. This can include how you’re feeling and what medicines or supplements you’re taking, to any questions, thoughts, or observations you have regarding appointments and procedures. Try to put a date on everything you write down to keep your thoughts and notes organized.
If audio recordings on your phone work better for you, that’s fine too. Just pick one method and commit to using it regularly. Having information well documented can help keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctors.
Ask Questions to Help
You Make Decisions
- Information about any genetic connection your family members may need to consider
- Your lifestyle (diet, exercise, rest, stress)
- What to expect during your future appointments
- Diet and nutrition recommendations. Are there any natural supplements I can or can’t take?
- Who is involved in the cancer care team?
- What are my colorectal cancer treatment options, goals, and side effects?
- Are there any activities to avoid? How about any that you should add to your routine?
- Are clinical trials an option?
- Is there access to supportive care?
- What time frame do I have to make treatment decisions?
Stories from Actual Patients
Read the personal accounts of RMCC patients who completed colorectal cancer treatment.
