Colorectal Cancer Stories
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Colorectal cancer can start either in the colon or the rectum. It makes up about 8% of all cancer cases in the U.S. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. (National Cancer Institute) It’s also on the rise for men and women under 50 years old.
Read in-depth colon and rectal cancer stories from our community members who share everything from how they knew something was wrong, including genetic mutations, to navigating life with colorectal cancer and treatment.
Colorectal Cancer Stories
Additional Resources
Colon Cancer
Shannon Mercurio, Colon Cancer, Stage 1
Cancer Details: Found the cancer as a result of her Lynch Syndrome
1st Symptoms: Routine colonoscopy found polyp
Treatment: Partial colectomy
Hugo Toovey, Colon Cancer, Stage 1
Cancer Details: Diagnosed 2 weeks after 5 years remission from testicular cancer
1st Symptoms: Inflamed bowel
Treatment: Subtotal colectomy, immunotherapy
Rachel Braga, Sigmoid Colon Cancer, Stage 1
Cancer Details: The sigmoid colon (or pelvic colon) is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum
1st Symptoms: Stomach discomfort, nausea, bloating, blood in stool
Treatment: Colectomy
Chris Tarver, Colon Cancer, Stage 2
Cancer Details: Discovered Lynch Syndrome after genetic testing
1st Symptoms: Found the cancer as a result of family history, early colonoscopy
Treatment: Partial colectomy
Shannon Costello, Colon Cancer, Stage 2A
Cancer Details: Diagnosed at 29, tested positive for Lynch Syndrome
1st Symptoms: Severe pains after eating
Treatment: Partial colectomy
Barbara Majeski, Colon Cancer, Stage 3
Cancer Details: Family history wasn’t flagged, should have had colonoscopy earlier
1st Symptoms: Stomach discomfort, difficult to process food
Treatment: Colectomy
Shelley Brown, Colon Cancer, Stage 3B
Cancer Details: Had no usual first symptoms, found as a result of routine colonoscopy and endoscopy
1st Symptoms: None
Treatment:Partial colectomy, chemotherapy (FOLFOX)
Lindsay Danneker, Colon Cancer, Stage 4
Cancer Details: Diagnosed at 32, cancer spread to ovary and lung
1st Symptoms: Lump in pelvic area, funny-smelling food, weight loss
Treatment: Chemotherapy, colectomy (surgery)
Lee Jones, Colon Cancer, Stage 4, Recurrence
Cancer Details: Recurrence then remission
1st Symptoms: Discovered stage 4 cancer from unrelated CT scan
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemo (FOLFOX), hemicolectomy (partial colon surgery), adjuvant chemo (FOLFOX), chemo post-recurrence (FOLFIRI), liver surgery
Rectal Cancer
Joanna Haydon, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3
Cancer Details: Rectal adenocarcinoma
1st symptoms: Rectal bleeding, bloating, stomach aches
Treatment: FOLFOX chemo, radiation
Catherine Perka, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3
Cancer Details: Rectal adenocarcinoma; 98% of rectal and colon cancers are adenocarcinomas
1st Symptoms: Rectal bleeding, constipation, bloating
Treatment: Fertility treatments, chemo, radiation, tumor resection surgery
Jelena Tompkins, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3A
Cancer Details: 7cm mass found
1st Symptoms: Gas changes, rectal bleeding
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, surgery for tumor removal, ileostomy reversal
Jackie Spano, Rectal Adenocarcinoma, Stage 3B, Lynch Syndrome
Cancer Details: Rectal adenocarcinoma; 98% of rectal and colon cancers are adenocarcinomas
1st Symptoms: Blood in stool, constipation
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy
Maria Asuncion, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3C
Cancer Details: 7cm mass found
1st Symptoms: Fatigue, weight loss, fast heart rate, bladder infection
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, surgery for tumor removal
Colorectal Cancer
Cancer in both the colon and rectum
Allison Rosen, Colorectal Cancer, Stage 2C
Age at Diagnosis: 32
1st Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blood in stool, "blockage" feeling after eating
Treatment: Concurrent adjuvant (oral) chemotherapy + radiation, colectomy, oral chemotherapy