Colon cancer: Newly diagnosed guide
Finding out you have colon cancer can be overwhelming. This guide covers common topics that our colon cancer experts discuss with their patients every day.
Medical review by Mayo Clinic Staff
Updated: September 10, 2026
If you just learned that you have colon cancer, you may feel overwhelmed, worried and unsure about your next steps. If you had no symptoms or thought occasional symptoms could be explained by something else, you also may feel angry or regretful. If you’re one of the growing number of adults under age 50 in the United States diagnosed with colon cancer, you may be shocked to find yourself in this situation.
It’s common to have questions about your diagnosis and treatment options. And you may wonder how cancer will affect your daily life, including using the toilet and managing an ostomy bag. At Mayo Clinic, we care for over 4,000 people with colon cancer each year, and we see dramatic improvements in treatments and overall survival. There is reason to be hopeful.
This guide covers common topics that our colon cancer experts discuss every day with their patients. We’re sharing these resources to help you find the answers you need to confidently choose the best treatment plan for your situation.
Understanding your diagnosis
Effective treatment starts with the right diagnosis. After learning that you have colon cancer, the next step is to find out how far it has spread. You may need blood and tumor marker tests, biopsy samples, and imaging tests, interpreted by cancer experts. Pinpointing the exact size and spread of your cancer, and any specific gene or protein changes, can help determine your best chances of a cure.
Many people hesitate to ask about advanced tests because they worry about the cost. Your insurance may cover more than you think, so ask how you can get an accurate diagnosis.
Colon cancer stages range from 0 to 4. Higher numbers mean a more-advanced cancer. You often won’t know the stage of your cancer until after surgery. Waiting for this number can be hard because knowing the stage helps you prepare for what’s ahead. It helps quantify how serious the cancer is, what treatment options you have, and what the survival rate might be.
Questions to ask your care team about your diagnosis
- Where is my colon cancer?
- Has my cancer spread? Where?
- What is the stage of my colon cancer?
- Can you explain the lab report about my cancer to me?
- Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
- Have you checked for gene changes that could help choose a treatment option?
Making decisions about treatment
You may feel rushed to get the cancer out of your body and jump into surgery. Usually, you have time to pause and carefully weigh your options. It’s OK to get a second opinion from another doctor, talk to other cancer survivors, and get answers to your questions.
Your care team should help you find innovative, personalized treatment options that minimize side effects and best suit your values and goals. Share your biggest fears, hopes and priorities with your care team, so you can discuss the benefits and risks of every path.
This may mean a lot of talk about constipation, gas, sex and ostomy bags. If this feels awkward or uncomfortable to you, don’t worry. These discussions are standard for your colon cancer care team. Maintaining the ability to use the toilet is a common priority and concern after colon cancer diagnosis.
For young adults, fertility and family planning is another key consideration. If you want to have children in the future, ask which cancer treatments impact that choice and what methods could preserve your fertility. Also, ask about minimally invasive and robotic surgery treatment options. Ask about treatments that reduce the chances cancer will come back, as well as clinical trials that could have benefits for your unique situation.
Be sure to bring someone with you to medical appointments. If you are alone, you may miss or forget the facts as you work to process lots of new emotions, terms and information. A trusted friend or confidant who is a good listener can help take notes and reframe and reinterpret the comments you hear from your care team.
Questions to ask your care team about treatment
- What are my treatment options?
- If surgery is part of my treatment, will I need an ostomy bag? Is so, will it be temporary or permanent?
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- What is the chance that my colon cancer can be cured?
- What are the risks or side effects of each treatment? Are there things I can do to reduce these side effects?
- How will each treatment affect my daily life?
- How much time can I take to decide about treatment?
- How long will treatment last? What will it be like
Treatment options
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for most people with colon cancer and is usually the first step in the treatment process. Treatment also can include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or clinical trials. Carefully consider all the treatment options available for your type of colon cancer, including standard treatments and any clinical trials that you’re eligible for.
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Finding your care team
Your treatment may need specialized experts. A gastroenterologist, colon and rectal surgeon, oncologist, dietitian, social worker, fertility expert, and others may work together on your team. Your healthcare professional can help you build the right team.
Colon cancer care at Mayo Clinic
Our team is standing by to help you schedule a colon cancer appointment.
Coping with your emotions
Having cancer affects your life, your work and finances. It affects your daily activities and your family too. Many resources are available for people going through cancer treatment — including support groups, case managers, financial counselors and patient navigators. Your care team wants to know if you could need any of these resources.
Tips from our patients
You may feel a lot of big emotions and anxiety in the days and weeks after a cancer diagnosis. Many people do. Here are some tips for coping from Mayo Clinic Connect, our Mayo Clinic online patient community.
- “Know that this is normal, and try to live moment to moment.”
- “Be kind to yourself, and get your rest.”
- “Don’t expect to always be emotionally, physically and mentally charged.”
- “Try to make a plan to make your schedule easier.”
- “Save your energy for the things that matter most to you.”
- “Walk and hike. It helps a lot.”
- “Try mindfulness exercises or deep breathing. It helps clear my mind of negative thoughts and worries. And it’s so relaxing.”
- “Pray and put on uplifting music.”
- “Be truthful with your doctor in how you’re feeling, and ask if you can be prescribed something for your anxiety.”
- “Surround yourself with a few good people, and ask for help even if you don’t want to.”
Find more advice in the colorectal cancer support group.
Telling your loved ones
Talking with others about having colon cancer can seem like an overwhelming task. You may find that you avoid texts, stay away from social activities, or skip invites. It’s OK to take space for yourself. But you might be surprised by the people who rally around you and provide invaluable support. There also may be people who withdraw, making you wonder why they haven’t reached out.
Cancer disrupts family life and friendships in big and small ways. It creates unexpected challenges, changed roles and responsibilities, and big feelings. Although it may feel awkward at times, it helps to be honest and specific with others. Ask for what you need, and save your dwindling energy for the things that matter most to you.
It can be especially hard to talk to kids about colon cancer. The instinct of most parents is to protect their children from difficult topics. But children do better when they’re given information that’s appropriate for their age and maturity level. Without accurate information, kids may misinterpret what’s happening or make up theories that don’t reflect reality. When you’re willing to share facts and answer questions, children tend to be less fearful. Open communication also nurtures a sense of support, closeness and trust.
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Common concerns
Will I lose my hair? Will I lose my energy? Will I have diarrhea or other stomach issues? How will I navigate daily activities, work, travel and intimacy with unpredictable bowel symptoms or an ostomy bag? What will it cost? These are common colon cancer concerns. Gathering information, seeing ostomy options and connecting with our online communities can help.
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Support group discussions
From Mayo Clinic Connect, our online patient community.
Find more discussions:
