Sharon, who also reportedly later had surgery to correct aherniaand subsequently contractedpneumonia, has reportedly recovered fully from the cancer diagnosis.
Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic / Getty Images
Surgery and Chemotherapy
Sharon, who was 49 years old at the time of diagnosis and had no family history of colon cancer, had surgery to remove a foot of large intestine and some surroundinglymph nodeson July 3, 2002. One of the lymph nodes tested positive for cancer, which indicated that the disease had spread beyond her colon. Osbourne underwentchemotherapyto kill any remaining cancer cells that weren’t removed during her surgery. She recovered uneventfully and has remained cancer-free.
Risk Factors for Colon Cancer
Even thoughcolon canceris curable when caught early, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer screening is integral to catching the disease early when it is most curable. Beginning at age 45, the American Cancer Society recommends getting screened.
In people who are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer due toulcerative colitis, family history of colorectal cancer, orfamilial polyposis, screening may be recommended earlier.
Osbourne underwent resection surgery, which is the most common kind of surgery done to treat colon cancer. The diseased section of the colon or rectum is removed along with lymph nodes and part of the healthy colon. The two healthy ends are then reattached with the goal of returning the patient to the most normal bowel function possible.
Chemotherapy For Colon Cancer
After chemotherapy, most patients continue to undergo testing to ensure the effectiveness of treatment. Blood tests andX-raysmay be used during follow up doctor visits to track the cancer and make any further decisions on treatment.
A Note From Verywell
Sharon Osbourne weathered colon cancer because it was caught early and treated. Colon cancer is preventable when polyps are removed before they have a chance to turn cancerous. This is best done through screening colonoscopies. That’s why it is so important that people be screened according to guidelines. When polyps are removed in time, lives can be improved and even saved because colon cancer won’t have a chance to take hold.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122American Cancer Society.Can colorectal cancer be prevented?American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122American Cancer Society.Can colorectal cancer be prevented?American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122American Cancer Society.Can colorectal cancer be prevented?American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer.
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.
Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122
American Cancer Society.Can colorectal cancer be prevented?
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
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