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If you have recently been diagnosed with colon, rectal or anal cancer you probably have quite a few questions and some worries. This section aims to help you find the answers and information you need, by directing you to the appropriate pages of our website.

Getting the Facts

• Colorectal Cancer Overview
  Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. After diagnosis the next step will be to meet with a colorectal surgeon or oncologist depending upon your situation.  The official staging will take place after surgery with the exception of metastatic disease.

• Staging
  The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the colon/rectum or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. 

• Build Your Colorectal Cancer Treatment Dream Team Workbook
  Newly diagnosed patients and their loved ones will appreciate this workbook that walks through how to coordinate your care across medical specialties.

• Treatment Options and Managing Side Effects
  Treatment depends mainly on the location of the tumor in the colon or rectum and the stage of the disease. Treatment for colorectal cancer may involve surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiation therapy. Some people have a combination of treatments. Treatment for colon cancer is sometimes different than treatment for rectal cancer.

• Resource Center
  CCA provides downloadable documents, materials, resources, treatment tools and a list of other helpful organizations in a variety of areas. Please look through our Resource Center for more information about colorectal cancer.

• Financial Issues
  Many communities also have local resources such as churches and civic organizations, the United Way, American Cancer Society, etc., that should be investigated.

• National Cancer Institute
  The NCI-designated Cancer Centers deliver medical advances to patients and their families, educate health-care professionals and the public, reach out to underserved populations and deliver state-of-the-art cancer research and patient care facilities.

You are Not Alone

• Buddy Program
  Living with uncertainty is the biggest challenge for any person faced with a cancer diagnosis. Even the most close-knit families need outside support -- and who better to provide that support than others who have been there or are there now?

• Free Help Line: 877-422-2030
  The Colon Cancer Alliance is managed by an experienced staff and a core of volunteer board members located around the country. Many of CCA staff members have a personal understanding of colorectal cancer--as either a survivor or caregiver. Their experiences with the disease further their commitment to increasing prevention, raising awareness and providing support. CCA can help.

• My CCA Support Online Community
  Through our My CCA Support Online Community, you can connect with thousands of others around the world who are sharing similar circumstances as you. My CCA Support allows you to:
  • Seek advice or provide information
  • Provide and receive peer support
  • Share personal stories and experiences
  • Be a part of a community of your peers
  • Provide updates to your loved ones
  • Search for other members by diagnosis, stage and location

Tools & Kits

• My Colon Cancer Coach
  My Colon Cancer Coach, brought to you by Genomic Health, is a unique online tool that guides patients through a series of simple questions and provides them with a personalized report to share with their physician as they discuss treatment options.

• Be a Survivor: A Colorectal Cancer Treatment Guide
  A cancer diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. It’s important to know what your treatment options are and where to turn for help. Our Be a Survivor Kit contains helpful information so that you can stay informed and have the tools you need to fight this disease.