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You'll find yourself experiencing a range of emotions on your journey with colon cancer. Colon cancer can be a dangerous disease that can result in death.

However many people reach the recovery phase. If you do you should feel proud of yourself for weathering the storm to become a survivor!

Recurrence is always a possibility with cancer. No one wants to dwell on the negative, but it's important to understand recurrence which is a possibility.

To help reduce the risk and as a colon cancer survivor, you'll want to establish a lifestyle that promotes optimal health to your body. Developing an exercise regimen and focusing on proper nutrition will help in the fight against possible recurrence. Here, the National Cancer Institute sums up the latest thinking about prevention of colon/rectal cancer - Colon and Rectal Cancer: Prevention, Genetics, Causes

In the event of recurrence, you may choose a more aggressive or a different type of treatment after discussing the options with your doctor. As with your first bout with colon cancer, treatment options will depend on the type of recurrence and the stage of the cancer. There's no greater encouragement than to hear the success stories of other colon cancer survivors; you'll find several at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America website:

Colorectal Cancer Survivors

You may also want to join the Colon Cancer Alliance's online community to share your story and support others with the disease:

You Are Not Alone: Online Colorectal Cancer Community

Give Back

As a colon cancer survivor you have the opportunity to offer a unique perspective to those who are traveling a similar journey. In fact, there is a wealth of personal wisdom you can offer to survivors and co-survivors simply by sharing your experiences. Those currently in the fight against colon cancer are in need of support and offering your own story can encourage others to thrive in the face of adversity.

Not every treatment for colon cancer results in recovery. When you're facing end-of-life and palliative care, there are many options to help you through this very difficult time.

When You're Facing Death

• American Cancer Society: Coping with Grief and Loss
• FamilyDoctor.org: Cancer - Palliative Care
• MedlinePlus: Hospice Care

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