NBC4 Daytime Columbus: Colorectal cancer symptoms and treatment

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. It is also one of the most common types of cancer treated at OhioHealth. OhioHealth provides the highest quality, patient-focused care with advanced technology, innovative programs, expert caregivers and screening facilities conveniently located throughout the region.

Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through screening.

William Wise, MD, OhioHealth colon and rectal surgeon, appeared on NBC4’s Daytime Columbus. He mentioned how often times if the cancer is caught very early with a colonoscopy, it can be treated right away with the colonoscopy.

“If someone has cancer in a polyp and we’re able to find it at a very early stage, many times it can just be removed with that procedure, and no other surgery is necessary,” he told Daytime Columbus.

Dr. Wise added, “Even if it’s more advanced than that or bigger, then it can be removed with a (scope). Surgical therapy is still the mainstay of treatment, but many times it can be a smaller procedure.”

On average, OhioHealth performs more than 300 colorectal surgeries each year. OhioHealth colorectal surgeons are experts in advanced diagnosis and treatment techniques.

“Many times patients with rectal cancer – we can do a minimally invasive kind of procedure through the rectum rather than a large operation that had to be done in the past,” Dr. Wise told Daytime Columbus.

Unfortunately, people of any age can get colorectal cancer. Some warning signs include anemia, rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, gas, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

According to Dr. Wise, one of the most common signs seen is rectal bleeding.

“If a young person comes in the office with rectal bleeding we tend to think about writing it off to something non-cancerous,” he says. “[but] I think being aware that it could be something more is important.”

To learn more about Colorectal Cancer Care at OhioHealth, please click here.