Encouraging Facts About Stage 1 Rectal Cancer

It can feel very overwhelming to be diagnosed with rectal cancer. When your doctor says the words, you may be unsure what to think. But it’s important to recognize that stage 1 rectal cancer isn’t a death sentence. In fact, there are a number of encouraging facts that can help ease your mind at this trying time.

Boca Care Surgical Associates offers surgical solutions for rectal cancer and other health issues. Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS, takes every patient’s needs seriously and wants you to know that you’re in good hands. But especially if you’ve just been diagnosed, let’s give you more of an idea of what you’re dealing with and what to expect going forward.  

Fact #1: Stage 1 means the cancer hasn’t spread far

When you find out that you’re in stage 1 of rectal cancer, it can be hard to wrap your head around what this means. How is it worse than stage 0 but better than stage 2? It can help to know exactly what this entails and how you should think about the situation. Let us clarify one important distinction: 

• Stage 0: Abnormal cells have been found in the innermost wall of the rectum, but the presence of cancer hasn’t been determined yet. 
• Stage 1: Cancer has been found in the innermost wall and the tissue or muscle just around it. 
• Stage 2: Cancer has spread beyond this tissue or muscle to the outer walls of the rectum, the tissue that lines the nearby organs, or the organs themselves. 

It can be helpful to think of it this way: Your provider has found cancer, but it hasn’t yet spread beyond the innermost layers of tissue in the rectum. 

Fact #2: Surgery is almost always the answer

Surgery is often effective for every stage of rectal cancer, and it can be the most effective early on. Early-stage rectal cancer often involves a polypectomy, which Dr. Belizon can perform with minimally invasive surgery. In addition, a small amount of healthy tissue may also be removed to create a better chance that the cancer will not return. 

Fact #3: Further treatments usually aren’t necessary  

This treatment is highly effective at this stage. In many cases, surgery by itself is effective in helping patients avoid further issues with their cancer diagnosis. This means that most patients at this stage don’t require the use of radiation or chemotherapy in addition to surgery. However, if you’re not healthy enough for surgery, one of these options may be effective. 

Fact #4: Survival rates at this stage are extremely high

Any time a cancer diagnosis is discussed, it can feel very scary. But the survival rates for localized rectal cancer (that is, cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the place it originated) are 91.5%. We don’t have to tell you these numbers are highly encouraging.  

Fact #5: Diagnosing rectal cancer has become a priority  

The medical field is focused on diagnosing rectal cancer as early as possible. Once thought of as an illness that only older men had to concern themselves with, it’s understood now that rectal cancer can happen to anyone. That’s why most people are advised to begin screening at 45, which leads to more early diagnoses.

We’ll be here every step of the way… 

Encouraging or not, a cancer diagnosis is hard. Whether you’re concerned about the possibility or you’ve just received a diagnosis, it’s important to remember that there are many reasons to feel heartened as you navigate this situation. And here’s one more: we’ll be there. 

To make an appointment at our Boca Raton, FL, office, simply give us a call or visit us online. We’re ready to help you through this and provide you with support, safe treatment, and consideration — guaranteed.