Navigating an Early Stage Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis:
A Personal Journey of Advocacy and Resilience

Anna's journey began with a simple concern about bloody stools, prompting a visit to her doctor and subsequent colonoscopy. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer at such a young age came as a shock, challenging Anna's understanding of the disease and prompting a whirlwind of emotions.

Anna recalled, “I missed the call from the doctor who called to give me the news of my diagnosis because I wasn’t expecting it. I was 33 and otherwise healthy.”

“I work in the medical field, so I know about cancer, but it is interesting when you are personally faced with the disease — all my knowledge went out the door, and I didn’t know what to do.”

“I knew several people who had passed from cancer, but they were all ‘old.’ How does someone get colon cancer at 33? I didn’t have any family history, and all of my genetic testing results were normal — meaning there wasn’t anything in my genes that could’ve caused it.”

Anna's journey of recovery led her to introspection and a newfound sense of purpose. Recognizing the scarcity of awareness surrounding colorectal cancer in young adults, she embarked on a mission to advocate for early screening and detection. Attending conferences and connecting with fellow survivors ignited a passion for advocacy, despite initial feelings of guilt over her comparatively straightforward cancer experience.

Anna pondered, “How does someone get colon cancer at 33? I didn’t have any family history, and all of my genetic testing results were normal — meaning there wasn’t anything in my genes that could’ve caused it.”

“Though I hadn't realized what it was, I knew there had to be a reason this happened to me. I didn’t know anyone else with colon cancer, especially someone under 50. I felt so alone. Then I decided it was time to start doing something. I had a 5-year-old son, and I wanted to do everything in my power to prevent this from happening to him. I signed up to attend a conference for colon cancer patients and caregivers in Arizona, USA. At the time I had no idea that attending this conference would change my life.”

“After hearing stories from other survivors who were dealing with way more hardship, I felt guilty for telling my uneventful, month-long ‘battle’ with cancer.”

“I realized my purpose in life might be colon cancer advocacy. I was young, I knew the signs and symptoms, I talked to my doctor right away, I was diagnosed at Stage I. What if I was put on this earth to educate others that you are never too young for colon cancer? Would it help save any lives? I didn’t know all of those answers, but I had to at least try.”