Caring for a Parent with Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — is one of the most common cancers in adults over 65. It is also one of the most treatable when caught early. But when it is found at a later stage, caregiving becomes more complex. This guide will help you understand what your parent is facing and how to support them through it.
Understanding Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer starts in the lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Most cases develop slowly from small growths called polyps. When caught early through colonoscopy screening, it is highly treatable. When found at Stage 3 or 4, treatment is more involved and outcomes vary.
Colon cancer and rectal cancer are treated somewhat differently. Rectal cancer, because of its location in the pelvis, often requires radiation in addition to surgery and chemotherapy.
What to Watch For
Symptoms that may appear or worsen during your parent’s illness include:
- Changes in bowel habits — diarrhea, constipation, or narrow stools
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Bloating and gas that does not resolve
- Feeling that the bowel does not fully empty
- Fatigue and unexplained weight loss
Some of these symptoms may also be side effects of treatment rather than the cancer itself. Keep a simple log of what you notice and share it with the oncology team.
Treatment and What It Involves
Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer. The surgeon removes the tumor and a portion of the surrounding bowel. In some cases, a temporary or permanent colostomy is needed — an opening in the abdomen that allows waste to exit through a bag attached to the skin.
Colostomy care is one of the most significant adjustments in colorectal cancer caregiving. Your parent will likely work with an ostomy nurse to learn how to manage it. As a caregiver, it helps to learn alongside them so you can assist if needed. It takes time to get used to, but most people adapt more quickly than they expect.
Chemotherapy is used to reduce recurrence risk after surgery or to treat cancer that has spread. Common regimens for colorectal cancer can cause neuropathy — tingling or numbness in the hands and feet — in addition to the usual fatigue and nausea.
Radiation is used more often for rectal cancer than colon cancer. It may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to reduce recurrence risk.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are options for certain types of colorectal cancer, particularly those with specific genetic markers. Ask the oncologist whether your parent’s tumor has been tested for these.
Nutrition and Digestion
Colorectal cancer and its treatment directly affect digestion. Your parent may need to significantly change what they eat, especially after surgery.
After bowel surgery, the digestive system needs time to heal and readjust. Your parent may start with clear liquids and slowly progress to solid foods. Some foods that were fine before surgery may cause problems after — high-fiber foods, raw vegetables, and carbonated drinks are common culprits in the early recovery period.
Work with the oncology dietitian to build a plan that works for your parent’s specific situation. Keeping a food diary noting what was eaten and any symptoms that followed can be very helpful in identifying problem foods.
If your parent has a colostomy, output consistency and volume will also help guide dietary choices. The ostomy nurse is your best resource for this.
Managing Neuropathy
Chemotherapy-related neuropathy — numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet — is common with the chemotherapy drugs used for colorectal cancer. It can make walking, gripping, and doing everyday tasks more difficult.
Help your parent by:
- Removing tripping hazards from the home
- Adding grab bars in the bathroom if not already there
- Making sure floors are not slippery
- Keeping pathways clear, especially at night
- Helping with tasks that require fine motor skills, like buttons or jar lids
Tell the oncology team if neuropathy is getting worse. Dose adjustments may be possible.
When to Consider Hospice
For colorectal cancer that has spread extensively or is no longer responding to treatment, hospice care provides comfort-focused support that most families cannot provide alone.
Consider talking to the oncologist about hospice when:
- The cancer has spread to the liver, lungs, or other organs and is not responding to treatment
- Your parent’s bowel function is severely compromised and cannot be managed at home without significant help
- Pain or other symptoms are difficult to control
- Your parent has expressed that they do not want more treatment
Hospice teams include nurses, social workers, chaplains, and home health aides who come to your parent’s home. They can manage complex symptoms and give you the support you need too.
Learn more about hospice care →
Resources
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance — ccalliance.org — 1-877-422-2030 — Patient and caregiver support, clinical trial information, and a helpline.
- United Ostomy Associations of America — ostomy.org — Support, education, and local support groups for people with ostomies and their caregivers.
- American Cancer Society — cancer.org — 1-800-227-2345 — Comprehensive information and 24/7 caregiver support.
Back to Cancer Caregiving Guide →
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