Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Reclaiming Function Post-Treatment

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, shining a necessary light on a cancer that is the third most commonly diagnosed in the US, with an estimated 152,810 new cases in 2024 (ACS, 2024). While the focus is rightly on life-saving treatments like surgery (such as Lower Anterior Resection, or LAR) and radiation, these interventions often result in severe, lingering side effects—particularly pelvic floor dysfunction.

Side Effects of Treatment

The impact on daily life is significant and often overlooked. Post-surgical complications, collectively termed Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS), lead to issues like fecal incontinence (FI) and obstructed defecation. Studies show a high prevalence of LARS, with one study reporting overall LARS prevalence at a staggering 76.9% post-LAR (Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Research, 2022). These symptoms are not just embarrassing; they severely diminish quality of life.

Common Side Effects of Colorectal Cancer Treatment

• Surgery
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Changes in Bowel Habits
    • Increased frequency
    • Urgency
    • Incontinence
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Neuropathy
• Chemotherapy
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin Changes
  • Hair Loss
  • Tingling/numbess in toes, sensitivity to cold
• Radiation
  • Skin Changes including dermatitis and/or rectal bleeding
  • Diarrhea
  • Vaginal stenosis or Sexual Dysfunction
  • Urinary incontinence

Specialized Oncology Rehabilitation, focusing on the pelvic floor, is a critical, evidence-based intervention. We use manual techniques to mobilize scar tissue and adhesions caused by surgery and radiation, and employ biofeedback and therapeutic exercises to restore the critical coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. By addressing scar tissue and muscle function, we help patients regain control over their bowel and bladder function, improving their ability to return to a normal, active lifestyle.

Here to Help!

You navigated the complexity of a cancer diagnosis and treatment with incredible courage—your recovery should be managed with the same expert strategy. Chronic bowel or urinary dysfunction should not be considered as an inevitable, permanent consequence. Let us help you and re-establish your body’s internal integrity. Our clinic specialized in pelvic health, with extensive years of hands on experience. Our rooms are all private and we spend our time in a one-to-one patient to therapist setting. Instead of planning your day around the nearest public restroom, you can focus your energies on other aspects of your life including time with friends and family.