Understanding your upcoming colorectal cancer surgery can help you make informed decisions.
You can be your own best advocate by learning as much as possible about surgery you are having.
Talk to your doctor and care team about your surgical options, the recovery, and any post-surgery lifestyle changes you may face.
Knowing what to ask isn't always easy. We've made a list of important questions:
Ask your surgeon if they are a Board Certified Colorectal Surgeon. Studies show the recurrence rate for patients using colorectal surgeons are significantly less than using a general surgeon for colorectal cancer surgery.
It's very normal to feel anxious before surgery. Some of the more common symptoms include a pounding heart, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea, and sleep problems. The Alliance offers patient and family support navigators who can help.
Do you have a two-story home or do you need to move to another bedroom for easier access after surgery? Set up this room and a bathroom before your surgery.
The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting featured several important studies that could change how colorectal cancer is treated, including a pivotal study for BRAF V600E patients.
A new kind of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy improved the treatment’s effectiveness in patients with metastatic GI cancers.
Discover how knowing her G12C biomarker guided Lexie’s stage IV colorectal cancer treatment — from a shock diagnosis to HIPEC surgery — and why screening, research, and self-advocacy matter.