A diagnosis of colon cancer in Lima can be devastating for the person receiving the diagnosis and for their loved ones. However, you are not helpless. Treatment options have advanced; if you act quickly, you can beat the disease. Here are the first steps you should take when you get your diagnosis.
Talk to an Oncologist
When you get a diagnosis of any cancer, including colon cancer, the first thing you should do is see a specialist immediately. An oncologist such as Dr. Powell at Cancer Care of West Central Ohio will know how to advise you on the next steps. The faster you meet with an oncologist, the better because timeliness counts when it comes to treating cancer.
Get Additional Diagnostics If Necessary
Your oncologist may recommend that you get additional diagnostics, such as biopsies and blood work, to diagnose the extent of your diagnosis of colon cancer in Lima. Knowing how far the cancer has spread and at what stage of progression it is located is very important. The oncologist needs to know this information before developing a treatment plan.
Come Up With a Treatment Plan and Discuss All of Your Options
There are a few different treatments available for colon cancer. Most colon cancer treatments involve some form of surgery, but the type of surgery depends on the extent of the tumor. Your oncologist can advise you on what you need and if you need additional treatments, such as chemotherapy.
If treated promptly, colon cancer can be beaten, so visit the doctor on time.