Colorectal Cancer Stories
Colorectal cancer can start either in the colon or the rectum. It makes up about eight percent of all cancer cases in the U.S. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. (NCI) It’s also on the rise for men and women under 50 years old, as many of our stories below will highlight.
2024: Colon Cancer on the Rise in Younger Adults
A 2024 report highlights a worrying 9% increase in colorectal cancer among those under 50. Despite unclear reasons for this rise, factors like genetics, lifestyle, and obesity are considered. Surprisingly, many young patients don’t fit the typical risk profiles, hinting at other causes like environmental factors or microbiome changes. This trend is leading to more late-stage diagnoses in young adults, emphasizing the need for awareness and early screening.
Go directly to our stories covering younger diagnoses.
Scientists are now working to uncover the causes behind this rise and develop strategies to prevent and treat colorectal cancer in younger age groups. As Dr. Kimmie Ng, director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, said, “Research into what the underlying causes are and what the risk factors are, is so important. We need to identify those young people who are at high risk and target them for earlier screening.” Read our interview with Dr. Ng.
Take our Colorectal Cancer Survey and get 10 Tips from Our Community on symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and support.
Colorectal Cancer 101
Learn more with our guide on colorectal cancer, a disease that affects the colon or rectum. In this colorectal cancer overview article, we touch on crucial aspects such as screening, stages, treatment options, and patient stories. Through these stories, you’ll discover valuable insights from the very people who have been there.
Patient Stories
Explore below for colorectal cancer stories from our community of patients and thrivers who share their experiences with colon and rectal cancer diagnoses and treatments.
Colon Cancer Stories
Kristin T., Colon Cancer, Stage 2
Symptoms: Chronic digestive issues, bloating, abdominal pain, unpredictable bowel habits, unexplained weight gain, nausea, fever
Treatments: Surgery (removal of the tumor, right ovary, right fallopian tube, and part of the small intestine), chemotherapy
Mark S., Colon Cancer, Stage 3B
Symptom: Intermittent cramping of varying intensity, localized on the right side
Treatments: Surgery (colon resection), chemotherapy
Shannin D., Colon Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Severe pain where tumor blocked colon, vomiting after eating, weight loss
Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery
Tamara G., Colon Cancer, Stage 4
Symptom: None; bloodwork revealed severe anemia which touched off the diagnostic process
Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy
Katie I., Colon Cancer, Stage 3B
Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, shortness of breath heartburn
Treatments: Surgery (partial colectomy/laparoscopic colon resection), chemotherapy (infusion with oral medication)
Rectal Cancer Stories
Joanna H., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Rectal bleeding, bloating, stomach aches
Treatments: Chemotherapy (FOLFOX), radiation
Catherine P., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Rectal bleeding, constipation, bloating
Treatments: Chemotherapy (Xeloda, CAPOX), radiation, surgery (tumor resection)
Jackie S., Rectal Adenocarcinoma, Stage 3B/4, Lynch Syndrome
Symptoms: Blood in stool, constipation
Treatments: Chemotherapy (oxaliplatin & 5FU), radiation, surgeries (rectal resection, total hysterectomy, ileostomy), immunotherapy
Maria A., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3C
Symptoms: Fatigue, weight loss, fast heart rate, bladder infection
Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery (tumor removal)
Justine L., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3B/4
Symptoms: Increasing bowel movements (up to 20 a day), some rectal bleeding
Treatments: Chemoradiation (capecitabine , FOLFOX), surgery (colectomy), SBRT radiation, cancer ablation, Y90 (radioembolization)
Colorectal Cancer Stories
Edie H., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 3B
Symptom: Chronic constipation
Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries (lower anterior resection & temporary ileostomy)
Shayla L., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Stomach sensitivity, food intolerances, exhaustion, blood in stool
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (hepatectomy)
Tracy R., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 2B
Symptoms: Bloating and inflammation, heaviness in the rectum, intermittent rectal bleeding, fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
Paula C., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Painful gas, irregular bowel movements, blood in stool, anemia, severe pain, weight loss, fainting spells
Treatment: Surgery (tumor resection)
Nick S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4A
Symptoms: Change in bowel habits, size & consistency, blood in stool, abdominal pain, fatigue
Treatment: Surgery (sigmoid colectomy), chemotherapy (capecitabine, oxaliplatin), immunotherapy (bevacizumab, pembrolizumab)
Steve S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, feeling gassy and bloated
Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody, liver transplant
Patients In Their 30s and 40s Share Their Earliest Symptoms
In 2024, a concerning trend emerged: colon cancer incidence is rising among adults under 50, particularly those between 30 and 40 years old. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that this demographic is the only one to experience an increase in overall cancer incidence (number of new cases in a year for every 100K people) from 1995 to 2020. Colorectal cancer, once the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths for people under 50, has now become the leading cause for men and the second for women.
Regular screenings for colorectal cancer are crucial for early detection. The most common screening method is a colonoscopy, which allows doctors to examine the entire colon and rectum for polyps or signs of cancer.
Colorectal Cancer Medical Expert Interviews
Toufic Kachaamy,MD
Role: Chief of Medicine and Director of Gastroenterology
Focus: endoscopic oncology
Provider: City of Hope (Phoenix)
Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH
Role: Gastrointestinal oncologist
Focus: Young-onset colorectal cancer, microbiome
Provider: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston)
Navigating the Latest Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treatments and Clinical Trials
Colorectal cancer patient advocate Allison Rosen and leading oncologist Dr. Cathy Eng from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center discuss the latest advancements in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, the current treatment landscape, and the most promising clinical trials available.