Colorectal cancer care in Manchester, New Hampshire
Colorectal cancer is very treatable if caught early, and we're here for you throughout the process.
At Catholic Medical Center, our oncologists skillfully screen for and treat colorectal cancer with evidence-based procedures, including colonoscopies and robot-assisted surgery.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer might not cause any symptoms at first. If symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Blood in your bowel movements
- Change in the number of bowel movements
- Change in the size of bowel movements
- Change in the texture of bowel movements
- Feeling weak or tired
- Stomach pain
Services provided by our colorectal specialists
Applying extensive knowledge and expertise, we provide you with compassionate care through every stage of your cancer journey.
Colorectal cancer risk factors
The best treatment for colorectal cancer is to remove it before it develops, and screenings help us find any cancerous cells. Healthy adults should get screened once every 10 years, starting at age 45. However, the recommendation for those with a family history or other risk factors can vary, though we typically recommend getting screened every five years, beginning at an earlier age.
You may be at a higher risk for colorectal cancer if you:
- Are 45 years or older
- Have a family history of colon or rectal cancer
- Have inflammatory bowel disease
Diagnosing colorectal cancer
Regular screenings can find colon cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
The primary type of colorectal cancer screening is a colonoscopy, which can detect changes and abnormalities in your large intestine and rectum. If any precancerous polyps are found, we can perform a polyectomy during the colonoscopy and remove them. If larger polyps are present, we can remove them using an endoscopic mucosal resection.
If we find cancerous cells, the next step is performing a biopsy to determine the stage and type of cancer. The results of the biopsy will indicate whether surgery is enough to treat your cancer or whether additional treatment is necessary, including chemotherapy and radiation.
Most insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screenings. Ask your insurance company what you should expect.
Colorectal cancer treatment
In situations where surgery is necessary to treat colorectal cancer, our skilled doctors can perform minimally invasive laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery include reduced scarring, a shorter recovery time and less pain.