--- title: "Your Colon and Rectal Cancer Journey" description: "This guide will help inform and empower you during your treatment for for colon or rectal cancer." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/colon-rectal-cancer-journey" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources) / 3. Your Colon and Rectal Cancer Journey # Your Colon and Cectal Cancer Journey: A Guide **Section menu** - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient information") - [Remington Lab tests menu and information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab tests menu and information") - [Spiritual care and chaplaincy services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual care and chaplaincy services") - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient information") - [Remington Lab tests menu and information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab tests menu and information") - [Spiritual care and chaplaincy services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual care and chaplaincy services") This guide will help inform and empower you during your treatment for colon and/or rectal cancer. Download the entire PDF file, or choose the chapters that most interest you. This information isn’t meant to replace the attention and advice from your medical team so be sure to bring up any questions with them. We’re here to help. [Download your Colon and Rectal Cancer Journey (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-understanding-your-diagnosis.pdf) ## Chapters 1. [Organizing Your Care (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-organizing-care.pdf) — Learn how to use this guide, who’s on your care team, your rights as a patient and medication safety tips. 2. [Understanding Your Diagnosis (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-understanding-your-diagnosis.pdf) — To understand more, read pages 1-25 of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for colon cancer or rectal cancer. These are excellent resources to learn about the basics of cancer as well as general treatment planning and options. 3. [Resources (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-resources.pdf) — Access recommended websites, groups and books for you and your family. 4. [Surgery and Post Surgery (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-surgery-post-surgery.pdf) — Learn about different colon and rectal surgeries, how to prepare and what to do to promote healing. 5. [Sex, Intimacy and Fertility (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-sex-intimacy-fertility.pdf) — Find out how adaptation and communication can help you navigate sexual and reproductive concerns before and after treatment. 6. [Medical Oncology (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-medical-oncology.pdf) — Powerful drugs, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, help treat colon and rectal cancer. Discover the options and possible side effects. 7. [Radiation Therapy (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-radiation-therapy.pdf) — If radiation is part of your care plan, learn the types, process and how to prepare. 8. [Clinical Trials (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-clinical-trials.pdf) — Is participation in a clinical trial right for you? Consider the pros and cons. 9. [Integrative Medicine (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-integrative-medicine.pdf) — Learn how complementary therapies, such as massage and acupuncture, engage the mind, body and spirit to help you heal. 10. [Coping and Living with Cancer (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-coping.pdf) — Live fully during your treatment by engaging and accepting support, managing emotions and practicing self-care. 11. [Survivorship and Wellness (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-survivorship-wellness.pdf) — Use nutrition, exercise, work balance and other healthy habits to maximize your well-being throughout treatment and survivorship. 12. [Healthcare Finances (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/colorectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-binder-healthcare-finances.pdf) — Decrease stress by organizing money management and knowing your options. ### Related content [Cancer Patient Navigator Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/cancer-patient-navigators?sc_site=SutterHealth&sc_lang=en) [Colorectal Cancer services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/colorectal-cancer?sc_site=SutterHealth&sc_lang=en) [Cancer services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/cancer?sc_site=SutterHealth&sc_lang=en) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Your Colon and Rectal Cancer Journey","description":"This guide will help inform and empower you during your treatment for for colon or rectal cancer.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/colon-rectal-cancer-journey","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/colon-rectal-cancer-journey#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/colon-rectal-cancer-journey#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patient resources","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Your Colon and Rectal Cancer Journey"}]} ```