Colorectal Cancer Patient Guide

First Steps

Cleveland Clinic Is Here To Help

Cancer can feel overwhelming, so Cleveland Clinic created this guide to help your experience feel more manageable.

Find Your “Point Person”

Try to find one person to act as a "second set of ears." Usually a spouse or adult child is best.

They can help:

• Come to doctor visits with you
• Take notes and write questions in the booklet you'll be given
• Keep track of instructions and important information from providers
• Explain to family and friends what's happening

After a Diagnosis

After you receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis, a team of caregivers will create a treatment plan specific to your needs.

When you meet with providers to discuss a care plan, you will talk about:

• Therapy options
• Goals of treatment
• Possible side effects
• Timeline

This is one of the most important times for your "point person" to be at your side, listening and taking notes.

At Your First Consultation

You'll Receive a Handbook

At your initial consultation, you'll be given a handbook which will help you:

• Learn info common to colorectal cancer patients
• Take notes during office visits
• Write questions to ask at appointments
• See other questions to ask during visits

Info You Should Know

Colorectal cancer is different for every patient.  It varies by location, progression (how quickly the disease advances) and other factors.  Your treatment plan will be customized to best address your specific needs.

Your therapies may change over time depending on how you respond to different treatments.

Useful Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What are my treatment options? (This is the main topic of the consultation, but it’s good to take notes anyway).
• What are our treatment goals?

Useful Questions to Ask Your Care Coordinator

• What side effects should I expect from my treatment?
• How will my doing my favorite activities be affected?
• How will my treatment affect any future plans (such as travel or a home project)?

Useful Questions to Ask Your Nutritionist

• Can I still eat my favorite foods?

Contact Us

Still have questions? We're here to help. Contact us through:

Cancer Answer Line

Call our Cancer Answer Line at 866.223.8100 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Two oncology clinical nurse specialists and their staff provide information and answers to your questions about cancer.

MyChart

Log on to MyChart or download the MyChart app to securely view your health information and communicate with your healthcare providers. You can also renew prescriptions, see test results, and view your medications any time, from your computer or smartphone.

Send Us An Email

You can send us a secure email through our Webcontact Form.