Gastric & colorectal cancer
12 articles shown
When I First Got a Stoma — A Story of Those First Few Days
A calm, personal account of the first days after suddenly getting a stoma: the feelings, the first pouch change and skin care, preparing for meals and going out, and the process of steadying a shaken mind.
Going to the Bathroom More Often After Colorectal Cancer Surgery — Adjusting to a New Bowel Routine
A personal account of adapting to more frequent, looser stools after colorectal cancer surgery. Recovery takes time, but managing diet, staying hydrated, and eating on a regular schedule help reset a bowel rhythm. It also lays out the warning signs that mean you should see a doctor.
When Your Hands and Feet Tingle After Oxaliplatin, and Cold Feels Especially Sharp
A look at peripheral neuropathy, a common side effect of oxaliplatin chemotherapy. It distinguishes acute symptoms triggered by cold from chronic symptoms that build up over time, and lays out practical management: avoiding cold, gloves and keeping warm, protecting the hands and feet, and reporting changes to your care team so doses can be adjusted.
When Is the Next Colonoscopy After a Polyp Is Removed? A Guide to Follow-Up Intervals
After a colon polyp is removed, the timing of the next colonoscopy depends on the type, size, and number of polyps and on the pathology findings. Small benign polyps usually mean five years later; many or large adenomas mean three years or within one year; a clean exam usually means ten years. Poor bowel prep or a large polyp removed in pieces calls for an earlier recheck, so it is important to keep track of the recommended timing on your results.
The Day I First Handled an Ostomy Pouch, and How I Got Used to It
From the helplessness of the first pouch change, through leaks and a food notebook, to changing it in under ten minutes by fingertip feel alone. A personal account that your hands learn within days, and ordinary life returns even with an ostomy.
How to Read the Pathology Report After a Colon Polyp Is Removed
A plain-language guide to the key terms on a polyp pathology report: adenoma vs. hyperplastic, tubular vs. villous, low- vs. high-grade dysplasia, margins (clear or involved), and what it means when adenocarcinoma or invasion appears. Because the next colonoscopy interval depends on number, size, and dysplasia grade, going over the report with your doctor is the most accurate approach.
Helicobacter and Stomach Cancer: Is Eradication Treatment a Must?
Helicobacter causes chronic inflammation of the stomach lining and is a clear factor raising stomach cancer risk, yet carrying it does not immediately become cancer. Eradication combines an acid-reducing drug with antibiotics for one to two weeks, finished in full, with a confirmation test a month later. The benefit is clear after ulcers, early gastric cancer removal, or with family history, while symptom-free, low-risk people decide with their doctor.
Living With the Hand and Foot Numbness That Lingers After Colorectal Chemo
Numbness in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) left by drugs like oxaliplatin can persist after treatment ends. Instead of self-blame, accept that nerves recover at their own pace, manage daily life with warmth and burn prevention, and seek medication or rehab if it is severe. A reassuring message to keep your eyes on what is better than a month ago and walk alongside your body.
How Much of the Stomach Comes Out in Surgery: Partial vs. Total Gastrectomy
The extent of stomach cancer surgery is set by the tumor's location and spread. A lower or middle tumor calls for a partial (subtotal) removal of about two-thirds of the stomach, while a tumor near the upper inlet or in several spots leads to a total gastrectomy. Total removal usually requires vitamin B12 replacement, and both call for eating small amounts often.
Will a colon polyp turn into cancer if left alone? The story of how an adenoma changes
Among colon polyps, adenomas can progress to cancer step by step over several years, but finding and removing them early during a colonoscopy can break that chain. Risk varies by size and shape, and managing your diet along with timely, regular colonoscopies is the most reliable form of prevention.
Chemo Side Effects: How to Get Through Them and Keep Your Daily Life
A practical guide to handling the nausea, diarrhea and constipation, lowered immunity, fatigue, and nerve symptoms that are common with chemotherapy for stomach and colorectal cancer, and to keeping your routine going. The keys: take anti-nausea medicine ahead of time, eat small amounts often, call right away if your fever hits 38C or higher, and keep a symptom diary.
Colorectal Cancer Screening That Starts With a Stool Test: When and How Often
A fecal occult blood test catches tiny traces of blood in your stool to flag colorectal cancer early. With no risk factors, get it every year from age 50; if it comes back positive, a colonoscopy finds the cause. With a family history, prior polyps, or symptoms, you should start earlier and check more often.