If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, you’re likely feeling mixed emotions—shock, fear, anxiety and uncertainty about the next steps are normal feelings. You may also have questions about what this diagnosis means for your overall health, what treatment options are available and where you should turn for the best possible care.
A colorectal cancer diagnosis may seem overwhelming, but early and well-coordinated care can improve outcomes, so it’s important to play an active role in decisions about your health. Patient communities and advocacy groups like the Colorectal Cancer Alliance can be invaluable sources of emotional support and practical advice, offering unique perspectives from people who know firsthand what it’s like to have colorectal cancer. Connecting with others can help you learn how to manage side effects, cope with uncertainty and ask the right questions, empowering you to advocate for yourself as you choose experts in the disease to provide your care.
Understanding your colorectal cancer diagnosis
Gaining a better understanding of your diagnosis is the first step. Colorectal cancer—a cancer that starts in the colon or in the rectum—is the fourth most diagnosed cancer in the United States. Colorectal cancer is also commonly referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it originates. Both men and women are affected by colorectal cancer.
Once you’re diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your doctor will determine if it has spread and, if so, how far. Your cancer will be given a stage, which helps determine how serious it is and the best treatment options for you. The earliest stage of colorectal cancer—when it is a very new cancer—is called stage 0. From there, it ranges from stage I (1) through IV (4). The lower the stage number, the less the cancer has spread.
The role of a multidisciplinary care team in colorectal cancer
Research shows that colorectal cancer treatment is more effective and has better outcomes when managed by a multidisciplinary care team, which is a group of specialists who collaborate to create a treatment plan unique to you and your needs. Instead of relying on just one doctor’s expertise, you benefit from the collective knowledge of multiple experts.
“There’s value in a multidisciplinary team,” says Kimberly McNeil, Prevention Project Director at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “Having this team of experts will help you get a comprehensive look at your own personal diagnosis to figure out the best plan of action and treatment specifically for you.”
Your multidisciplinary care team may include a variety of specialists such as:
- A gastroenterologist, a specialist who focuses on gastrointestinal diseases—that is, diseases that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (the colon), liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Oftentimes, a gastroenterologist is the first to identify colorectal cancer through a standard screening.
- A colorectal surgeon, a specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the large intestine (the colon), rectum and anus.
- A medical oncologist, who will work to treat your cancer with different types of treatments and medications, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
- A radiation oncologist, a specialist who uses radiation to target and destroy cancerous cells within the colon or rectum.
Other specialists may include nutritionists, psychiatrists and genetic counselors. When these specialists work together, they can tailor treatments to your unique needs. Coordinated care can lead to better outcomes, fewer treatment delays and an improved quality of life during treatment.
Finding expert care for colorectal cancer
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the last thing you want to do is spend hours searching for providers and specialists. Fighting cancer is frightening, and you want providers you can trust completely with your treatment and care.
Your primary care physician or gastroenterologist can recommend specialists they trust and are affiliated with. Resources like MediFind’s “Find a Doctor” tool can also help you find expert care in your area. Unlike other doctor-finder platforms that provide reviews and ratings primarily based on staff-friendliness or wait times, MediFind’s “Find a Doctor” tool extracts objective medical data to evaluate physicians based on the following criteria:
- Their experience treating patients with the specific condition
- How many research papers they’ve published or contributed to about the condition
- How connected they are with other physicians who treat the condition
- Referrals from other specialists who treat patients with the condition
Finding expert care for colorectal cancer doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Check out our “Find a Doctor” tool and search by your location to find a gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon or other specialist near you.
