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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Should I cancel my Colon Cancer monitoring?

    Hi, March 2013 I was diagnosed T4a No Mo Poorly Differented tumor in Sigmoid colan.

    Did surgery. did 10 rounds of folfox.

    Was told by 3 different oncologists have survival rate of around 85% at 5 years.

    Was also told if tumor returns then its not curable.

    I have cancelled my follow up monitoring appointments and colonosopy based on this advice.

    I loathe the stress and anxiety of the testing and checking and just want to forget about cancer and live my life.

    If it returns they have already told me they cant cure me so don't see the point of being constantly checked.

    Based on these facts am I misunderstanding what non-curable means.
  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • Bowel Cancer Australia is the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care for everyone affected by bowel cancer. We … View Profile

    Thank you very much for your enquiry. 


    Due to the detailed nature of your questions they are quite difficult to answer in an online forum. 


    If you'd like to send your questions through to Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse Adviser we'd be very happy to get in contact with you to provide an individualised response and advice. 


    You can send your questions to us using the web form available at http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=305&Itemid=305


    In the meantime you may also be interested to read some of the information available on the Bowel Cancer Australia website including: 


    •Living with bowel cancer - http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=459&Itemid=303 

    •Bowel cancer: What I Need to Ask - http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=325&Itemid=47 


    We look forward to receiving your questions and to offering you some tailored advice. 


    Kind Regards, 

    The team at Bowel Cancer Australia 

    www.bowelcanceraustralia.org 



    Please Note: The information provided by Bowel Cancer Australia’s Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory Services is intended for Australian residents as a reference guide only. It is not a substitute for independent professional advice and is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder. 


    If you believe your symptoms are consistent with those of bowel cancer or a digestive illness, please consult your doctor. 


    Bowel Cancer Australia, its directors, officers or medical professionals shall not be liable to any person, company or any other body for any loss, direct or indirect or consequential on whatsoever account for any omission or negligent misstatement.

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