Finding Ways to Cope During Your Journey
- “The Mavericks” frontman Raul Malo, 58, is continuing colon cancer treatment while still performing with his band. His cancer was discovered while undergoing a colonoscopy, which found “two cancerous spots.”
- Malo has reconnected with his love for the art of photography while going through treatment.
- Turning to art—such as photography, music, painting, or dancing—may be therapeutic for cancer patients and aid their recovery. Research involving cancer patients who used art to cope showed they may experience decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness.
- Colon or colorectal cancer affects the large intestine (colon) or the end of the intestine (rectum). Typically, symptoms involve a change in bowel habits.
- Colonoscopies are the most effective way to screen for colon cancer, according to our experts. The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.
“The Mavericks” singer Raul Malo, 59, is a few months into his colon cancer journey after being diagnosed this summer. His doctors found “two cancerous spots” while performing a routine colonoscopy, which screens for colon cancer. Although the singer hasn’t gone into great detail on the status of his ongoing treatment, he’s still performing where he can.
Helping him cope during treatment is his love for photography. The country singer recently shared photographs he took of his son on his Instagram page, distracting his mind with heartfelt memories rather than cancer treatment.
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“My son Max is playing my beautiful Gretsch guitar. Music obviously is a big part of our lives and not a day goes by that someone doesn’t pick up a guitar and play something,” Malo said while describing one of the photographs taken in black and white.
Another photo Malo shares was taken in Tijuana.
“I look at this father and his three sons, and I count my blessings every day. I snapped the pic as quickly as I could,” Malo said.
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Malo is still performing on occasion despite undergoing colon cancer treatment. However, when his health takes priority, he keeps fans updated. In early September, he noted that his treatment schedule necessitated a postponement of Texas concerts to Spring 2025.
Expert Resources on Colorectal Cancer
- A Coffee Enema Will Not Prevent Colon Cancer
- Can The Stuff In My Gut Cause Cancer? There May Be a Link to Increased Rates of Colon CancerHere’s What The Experts Say
- ‘You Shouldn’t Die From Embarrassment’: Colon Cancer Can Be Prevented
- Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important; Guidelines Now Say to Start at Age 45 if There Is No Family History
Raul’s Cancer Journey
“The Mavericks” has been around since the ‘90s, producing hits like “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” “Here Comes the Rain,” and “Born to Be Blue.” The Grammy-winning band recently released a new album titled “Moon and Stars.”
While undergoing a colonoscopy, which screens for colon cancer, doctors discovered Malo had “two cancerous spots,” which prompted further testing. The singer then learned he had colon cancer.
“One of the reasons I’m telling you all this is that some of the shows may be affected this year as we navigate this situation and see how the therapy goes,” Malo previously explained.
Diagnosing Colon Cancer
Colon or colorectal cancer affects your large intestine (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum).
The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. If you don’t have these polyps removed, they can sometimes change into cancer. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become a full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts.
Most colon cancers can be prevented if people are regularly screened. The screening usually involves a colonoscopy, in which a long, thin tube attached to a camera examines the colon and rectum. If no polyps are discovered, the following screening won’t be needed for about ten years.
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
After diagnosis, a preliminary staging workup is done using imaging studies, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, to show whether the cancer has spread. If you have had surgery to remove your cancer, a pathologist will examine it under a microscope to determine your stage.
- Stage 1 cancers are those in which the tumor has only penetrated the superficial layers of the colon and hasn’t gotten into the deeper layers.
- Stage 2 cancers involve the deeper layers of the colon wall
- Stage 3 cancers have spread to the lymph nodes around the colon
- Stage 4 cancers have spread to other organs, such as the liver, lungs, or peritoneal cavity (the space in your abdomen that holds your intestines, stomach, and liver)
The Value of Colonoscopies
The procedure requires your colon to be “cleaned out.” To clear out your colon, your doctor will prescribe a “bowel prep,” a liquid you drink the night before the procedure. The prep acts as a laxative that causes you to have multiple loose stools before your procedure.
WATCH: When to get a colonoscopy
Once your colon is cleared out, the gastroenterologist performing the procedure can have a clear look to evaluate if any polyps or masses are present.
Depending on the size and number of polyps found, it is recommended that patients undergo a repeat colonoscopy within three to five years.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, previously explained the colonoscopy procedure to SurvivorNet.
“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” he explained.
“What does that mean? That means we basically put a wire through with a little bit of a flange at the end, and we pull the polyp out. Now, note there is no pain with that. Inside the colon, there are no pain fibers. So, there’s no pain,” Dr. Murrell added.
The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, here are some questions you may ask your doctor.
- What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
- If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
- What support services are available to me? To my family?
- Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?
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