Devon Confronted Stage 4 Rectal Cancer at 30
Devon found out she had stage 4 rectal cancer in March 2023, when she was only 30 years old. She started to experience her first symptoms a month before that: frequent bathroom visits (up to 20 times a day), discomfort that became pain, and, in some instances, passing mucus instead of stool. She initially thought she had irritable bowel syndrome, but her gut feeling (literally and figuratively) convinced her to look for medical advice.
Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Devon took a proactive approach to her diagnosis. This included closely tracking her symptoms and how they progressed, as well as persistently communicating with doctors. Thanks to her approach, she was able to land a quick appointment with a gastroenterologist. Within just 20 minutes of meeting her and conducting an exam, the doctor detected something amiss and recommended that she undergo a colonoscopy immediately. The diagnosis? Stage 4 rectal cancer.
Devon was shaken by her diagnosis. Because she had neither a family history of rectal cancer nor any of the typical risk factors, it felt surreal. However, she didn’t fixate on asking, “Why me?” Instead, she asked, “What’s next?”
Devon’s doctors conducted a flurry of tests and scans and referred her to other doctors, but she ended up returning to Seattle for comprehensive care. However, her symptoms worsened while she was making her way back, resulting in an emergency ostomy surgery in San Francisco. It was a painful procedure, but she felt better afterwards.
After surgery, Devon’s stage 4 rectal cancer treatment plan included six weeks of daily pelvic radiation, low-dose chemo pills, and four months of traditional chemotherapy. Although she initially responded well to these treatments to the point of being declared no evidence of disease, the cancer returned. She then started a more intense second round of chemotherapy. But Devon has refused to buckle despite this setback and has managed this new phase of her treatment with courage and support from her loved ones.
Devon and her doctors now rigorously and closely monitor her health. She offers simple but powerful pieces of advice to others: listen to your body and find your community. Because the adolescent and young adult cancer community played such a crucial role in her emotional recovery as a young adult who faced cancer, thanks to offering understanding and solidarity that’s hard to find elsewhere, she recommends that other patients find their people, too.
Watch Devon’s video and:
- Learn how the “small” but ominous symptoms she struggled with led to a big discovery
- See what it’s like to face stage 4 rectal cancer, which is usually associated with older people, at just 30
- Rethink what you think you know about rectal cancer — Devon has neither family history nor risk factors for it
- Find out how she navigates life with rectal cancer: from symptoms to survival
- Name:
- Devon B.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 30
- Diagnosis:
- Rectal Cancer
- Staging:
- Stage 4
- Symptoms:
- Pain when trying to move bowels
- Increased frequency of bowel movements, alternating with periods of constipation
- Passing mucus instead of feces
- Narrow stools
- Treatments:
- Surgery: ostomy surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make informed treatment decisions.
The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of The Patient Story.
Inspired by Devon's story?
Share your story, too!
More Rectal Cancer Stories
Devon B., Rectal Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Pain when trying to move bowels, increased frequency of bowel movements alternating with periods of constipation, passing mucus instead of feces, narrow stools
Treatments: Surgery (ostomy surgery), radiation therapy, chemotherapy
James K., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3C/4
Symptoms: Occasional rectal bleeding, increasing fatigue
Treatments: Chemoradiation, surgeries (coloanal pull-through, temporary ileostomy, ileostomy reversal, permanent colostomy), adjuvant chemotherapy
Denelle C., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3B
Symptoms: Irregular bowel movements, frequent rectal bleeding, sensation of incomplete evacuation
Treatment: Chemoradiation (oral chemotherapy and radiation therapy)
Scott M., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3
Symptom: Blood in stool
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (ileostomy), radiation
Roshonda C., Rectal Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Blood in stool, blood from rectum after intercourse, sensation of incomplete bowel movements
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation
Paul K., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Frequent bowel movements, loose stools, blood spotting in stool
Treatments: Chemotherapy (CAPOX), radiation, upcoming surgery (colon resection)