Colon cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50. This year alone, 53,000 people are expected to die from colon cancer.
Doctors are trying to understand why colon cancer is becoming increasingly common, with rates among young people increasing by 1 to 2 percent each year.
It’s a cancer that not much is known about and not many funds are available for, which is why one survivor is sharing her story in the hope that her ordeal will help inspire someone else.
Survivors recognized only one symptom of colon cancer
For Jeff Harris, being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at just 40 years old came as a huge surprise.
The husband and father of two was shocked because he showed few signs of serious illness, apart from one worrying symptom common to colon cancer patients.
“I was feeling fine. Then one day I had some rectal bleeding. It was significant and I just thought… ‘This is bad,'” he said.
A colonoscopy revealed a large tumor in the large intestine.
“It was like time stood still,” he recalled.
He underwent surgery immediately, which revealed that the cancer was not limited to his colon.
“When I woke up from surgery, my surgeon said, ‘Well, everything is fine, but the tumor was more in your rectum than in your colon – so it was both – at the rectosigmoid junction,'” he said, pointing to the area where the rectum joins the colon.
Surgery was followed by chemotherapy. He has had 10 IV infusions, 28 radiation treatments and oral chemotherapy. His scans now show no signs of the disease.
‘Alarming’: Why is colorectal cancer on the rise?
Harris is not alone: She has met many colon cancer patients much younger than her, in their late 20s and early 30s.
“You know, some of them are not with us today. So, this is concerning,” he said.
John Marshall, chief medical officer at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, is among the doctors trying to understand why colon cancer rates are rising among young people.
The leading theory has to do with the bacteria that grow in every human’s mouth and gut: Everyone has their own unique “microbiome” made up of bacteria and other microorganisms that can be beneficial or harmful to health.
“We’ve evolved over a long period of time to introduce bacteria into our mouths and digestive tracts – think of it as our own soil,” Marshall says. “So our leading theory is that just as we change our air and water to match the world around us, we’re probably also changing the world inside us – our own microbiome.”
Colorectal cancer appears in a different location than colon cancer.
“They’re all in the lower part of the colon,” Marshall says, “whereas regular old colon cancer can be found anywhere in the colon.”
Colon cancer symptoms and testing: “Don’t worry about colonoscopy”
According to the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, the most common symptom is having no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of colon cancer include blood in your stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, weakness or fatigue, and weight loss.
“There’s still a stigma surrounding the colon, rectum and stool because a lot of people don’t want to talk about it,” Harris said.
It is important to talk about the signs of colon cancer, as not wanting to talk about sensitive areas of the body can delay the diagnosis and treatment process.
Regular screening can help detect potential cancers at an early stage when they’re easier to treat, and your doctor may even be able to remove worrisome polyps (small tissue growths) before they turn into cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Doctors say everyone, whether they have symptoms or not, should start getting screened for colorectal cancer once they turn 45. People with a family history or other risk factors should get screened earlier.
The test can be done with a traditional colonoscopy, but there are less invasive options available.
“I would tell anyone with any symptoms to get tested. Don’t worry about a colonoscopy. It’s not that terrible. A colonoscopy is a walk in the park compared to cancer treatment,” Harris said.
Dr. Marshall says it’s important to know what’s going on and to figure it out quickly.
The Colon Cancer Alliance offers advice on how to talk to your doctor about testing, and also has information about financial assistance for people who can’t afford it.
Colon cancer prevention
Dr Marshall says the colon cancer epidemic is frightening – what’s his best advice?
“I end up going back to the Mediterranean diet, a little less meat – not a bad thing, but less of it. Lots of fruit and nuts, a little coffee. And keep moving, keep exercising,” he said.
Other lifestyle changes that may help include minimizing processed foods.
A fundraiser is planned in Potomac, Maryland.
In 2022, Harris rang the hospital bell to signify that she was cancer-free, and has shown no signs of illness since.
Now he focuses on making a living, spreading the word and raising funds.
The Colon Cancer Coalition hopes to raise much needed funds for research into the disease.
The inaugural Contactors Against Cancer Golf Tournament will be held August 25-26, 2024 at Avenel Farm in Potomac, Maryland. Edwin McCain and Ryan Cabrera will compete in the two-day event. More information here.
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