Family Member Dealing with Colon Cancer

Did you know that colon cancer is the #1 most curable cancer if caught early? There are many symptoms and signs of colon issues. My grandfather had colon cancer, but he ignores his symptoms until too late. The cancer had metastasized into his liver; pancreas; stomach; lung; bone; and brain. Metastasized is where cancer spreads to different parts of the body from where it began. By the time my grandfather agreed to start treatment, the cancer had already metastasized, so it was too late. Some of the symptoms of colon cancer are: pain in the abdomen, blood in stool, change in bowel habits, constipation, narrow stools, passing excessive amounts of gas, anemia, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or weight loss (Simon). 1 in 5 people who get colon cancer also had a family member that had it also. If people get screened for cancer, then that could help them get it treated early enough. Some treatments that can help could be a colonoscopy along with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. 9 out of 10 people who catch the cancer early and get treatment survive 5 more years so with the average risk age starting at 45, they could live until they are 50 or older if treated correctly. Sometimes the symptoms can show up after the cancer has already moved throughout the body.

My grandfather actually knew he more than likely had the cancer, but he didn’t want to tell the family to hurt us. We noticed that something was wrong when on the cruise fall break 2016, his room was as hot as a sauna, didn’t come to dinner the last two night, and he didn’t come to my house for Christmas dinner and he is always there. He passed away in January 2017, I didn’t go to school for two weeks because he was my best friend, we did everything together but the one thing we hadn’t gotten to do yet was to go to the tractor pull and go to some more horse shows. My advice to people is that if you know someone that is having the symptoms or have family history, force then to go get a scan done, better now than never.