Colon Cancer

Treatment Centers in Fredericksburg & Stafford

If you're 50 years or older - You need a colonoscopy! Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and is the second most deadly cancer for men and women; however, it is the most preventable and treatable with colon cancer screenings.

Colonoscopies are performed by physicians specializing in the intestines, including gastroentrologists, colon and rectal surgeons and general surgeons. Speak with a physician about the options available to you, or contact The Endoscopy Center at Mary Washington Hospital:

The Endoscopy Center
Mary Washington Hospital
1001 Sam Perry Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

540-741-4154

The Endoscopy Center at Mary Washington Hospital provides nonsurgical procedures used to examine a person's digestive tract. Using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it, your doctor can view pictures of your digestive tract on a color TV monitor.

Other colon tests to detect possible abnormalities include:

• Virtual colonoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Lab tests

Radiation Therapy

We offer three dedicated locations for radiation therapy - one on the Mary Washington Hospital Medical Campus and one on the Stafford Hospital Medical Campus and one serving Virginia's Northern Neck in Montross. These centers offer the most advanced technology available today. Radiation therapy is a major part of the treatment for rectal cancers. It’s also sometimes used as a treatment for colon cancers.

There are several reasons your doctor may recommend this therapy:

• To reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery
• To attempt to eliminate cancer cells left post-surgery
• To lessen symptoms due to tumors that can’t be treated with surgery
• To lessen symptoms due to tumors that have spread to other organs

Our radiation therapy centers are accredited by the American College of Radiology, which demonstrates that our centers meet the most stringent criteria for quality. We also have the highest scores possible for patient satisfaction, consistently ranking in the top 5% nationwide.

Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Your doctor has options for how to give you chemotherapy drugs. Depending on the specific drugs you are taking, you may get them either intravenously or in pill form.

You may have it for any of the following reasons.

• To help shrink a tumor before surgery
• To reduce the chance that the cancer will come back after surgery
• To treat cancer that has spread to other parts of your body
• To make radiation therapy more effective by making cells more sensitive to the radiation
• To treat cancer that has come back

Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

The goal of surgery for early stage colorectal cancer is to take out the tumor, often along with the section of your colon or rectum where the tumor is located. It's the most common treatment for early stage colorectal cancer and offers the best chance for a complete cure.

Many patients who have colorectal surgery are able to return to an active lifestyle in a short period. Surgery for early-stage colorectal cancer offers the best chance for a cancer-free life.

Surgery for colon and rectal cancers may include:

• Polypectomy
• Local excision
• Resection

The type of surgery you have depends on your health and the stage and location of the tumor.

We are here to help

For more information or to talk with a Cancer Nurse Navigator, please call 540.741.1211.

Our Cancer Nurse Navigators can help with:

• Answering questions and providing educational materials on cancer and specific types of cancer
• Explaining your diagnosis and treatment, every step of the way
• Emotional support, including one-on-one time, and recommendations for counseling services
• Expedited scheduling and coordinating of diagnostic test and physician appointments
• Coordination on your plan of care between your primary care and oncology physicians
• Access to clinical trials
• Recommendations on resources for nutrition, rehabilitation, transportation, support groups, financial assistance, and spiritual and emotional guidance
• Making important connections with community support services and resources
• Survivorship support

For more information, or to talk with a Cancer Nurse Navigator, please call 540.741.1211.