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Colorectal Cancer

Our program is staffed by a team of experts in gastroenterology, medical oncology, surgery, nuclear medicine, pathology, radiation oncology, radiology, social work and nursing.

Patient Care and Treatment
Colon cancer is treated in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Clinic at the University of Michigan. Our clinic has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers as part of a national program by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. That means we offer a comprehensive inpatient cancer care program, delivered by a multidisciplinary team with subspecialty training and distinguished clinical expertise in treating complex and rare subtypes of cancer.

Screening for Colon Cancer
The American Cancer Society recommends that beginning at age 50 men and women should be screened for colon cancer. There are a number of screening tests:

• Fecal occult blood test - To check stool (solid waste) for blood, which may be a sign of polyps or cancer.
• Sigmoidoscopy – Using a tube-like instrument to look inside the rectum and lower colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer.
• Barium enema – A series of x-rays of the lower gastrointestinal tract, also called a lower GI series.
• Colonoscopy - Using a tube-like instrument to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer. Tissue samples can be collected (biopsy) and abnormal growths can be removed.
• Digital rectal exam - Inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the lower part of the rectum to feel for lumps or anything else that seems unusual.

Talk with your doctor about which test is right for you -- all of the above are available at the University of Michigan Health System.

Research and innovation
Our research program is just as collaborative as our clinical program. By involving more than 40 researchers from 18 departments we have made significant strides in researching gastrointestinal cancers. Our goal has been focused upon what biolgic, genetic and/or molecular processes have to take place to give rise to the development of gastrointestinal cancer. We are dedicated to moving our research from the laboratory to the bedside and, to that end, offer a number of clinical trials.

Support
Since our program is part of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, our patients have access to Patient/Family Support Services. To fully understand what this means, please take time to visit the For Cancer Center Patients area of this website. We outline the services available to our patients at every point in their care.

Make an appointment/referral

To make an appointment, please contact 734-647-8902. If you would like to refer a patient, please contact our M-Line service: 800-962-3555. For more information, visit our Make an Appointment web page.

Still have questions?

The nurses at Cancer AnswerLine™ have answers. Call 1-800-865-1125 and you'll get a personal response from one of our registered nurses, who have years of experience in caring for people with cancer.