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This is the third part. In the last part of the case report, we discussed Wolfgang’s colon cancer surgery. You can find the first part here.
We continue the report from the third-person perspective, based on information from Wolfgang’s close family environment.
After the diagnosis of colon cancer, regular check-ups become a new normal. These appointments fill affected individuals and their families with anxiety.
Days before, thoughts creep in: What if the cancer is back?
Wolfgang had felt on the road to recovery after his winter surgery. He had received a stoma, and a metastasis had been removed from his liver. Just a few weeks ago, he celebrated his 70th birthday.
Following the removal of his rectum, the surgical wound has largely healed. It is still under tension and oozes, but improvement is noted.
He has adjusted to the stoma. When he removes the bag and closes the artificial opening, he can even go swimming.
Overall, the last treatment appeared promising. The chemotherapy went relatively well, with no cancer cells detected afterward.
It seemed like total success, as if Wolfgang had dodged a bullet.
But the cancer is back. It likely never left.
The follow-up CT scan revealed new metastases in the liver, along with enlarged lymph nodes.
For family members, it felt like they had only angered the cancer, as if it would hit back harder now.
“We won’t survive a second time,” Sigrid, Wolfgang’s wife, expressed before the examination.
After the devastating news, both shut themselves off initially. It was a mix of shock, horror, and confusion, along with anger directed at the doctors who had assured them everything would be fine.
The chances at this stage are far worse than before. Few people live five years after such a diagnosis.
Understanding Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in industrialized nations. The WHO has warned since 2015 that red and processed meats are risk factors for colon cancer. Just 50 grams of processed meat a day increases the risk by 18 percent.
While meat is not the only risk factor, it is one that can be easily avoided by adopting a meat-free diet. As more young people under 50 are diagnosed with colon cancer, doctors warn of an impending epidemic.
By sharing a real case, we hope to raise awareness of this tragic illness and the possibilities of prevention. Names and personal details have been altered for confidentiality.
Colon Cancer Diagnosis: A Case Study
Release:
Author: Kilian Dreißig
