Colon Cancer Claims Life Of Chadwick Boseman
- The “Black Panther” star was diagnosed in 2016
- His initial stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis progressed to stage 4
- He kept his diagnosis private and continued working through surgeries and chemotherapy
“A True Fighter”
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the family’s message began. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. ” â£
Read More“It was the honor of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther. â£He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side,” the message continued. “â£The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
“Wakanda Forever”
Boseman’s fans and admirers expressed universal shock and grief. “What a gentle gifted SOUL,” Oprah wrote in response to the news. “Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength the Power it takes to do that. I'm in shock and awe!”
“Wow. We love you so much,” Chance the Rapper wrote. “Thank you for being so kind. You will be painfully missed. God bless you.”
“Thank you for giving … the black community a great super hero to motivate us during a time we needed it the most!” wrote Marquis Trill. “Thank you Chadwick, Wakanda Forever.”
Why Are Young People Getting Colon Cancer?
The American Cancer Society guidelines for colon cancer recommend that average-risk adults begin getting colonoscopies at age 45.
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For those who are given clear scans, they should go back for additional colonoscopies once every 10 years. With regular screening, colon cancer is preventable.
Dr. Heather Yeo, Colorectal Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, says colon cancer in younger people is on the rise.
However, even with these nation-wide screening recommendations, the rate at which younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer has been going up.
“It’s a different type of cancer,” Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian tells SurvivorNet. While colon cancer among people under 50 is becoming more common, the reason is hard to pin down, Dr. Yeo notes. But these cancers tend to have some unique characteristics.
“The colon cancers that are in the younger age group are more likely to be on the left side, they’re more likely to be rectal cancers,” Dr. Yeo says.”They are more likely to be kind of aggressive tumor types.”
When colon cancer returns, says Dr. Heather Yeo, “it doesn’t mean there aren’t treatment options.”
“We are seeing patients as young as age 19 come into the clinic,” says Dr. Kimmie Ng, Co-Director, Colon and Rectal Cancer Center and Director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “And there is no genetic syndrome involved, so it's very frightening.”
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Researchers note distinct molecular differences among tumors in younger patients. “It may be something environmental,” Dr. Yeo explains. “There are some different risk factors for these early colon cancers.”
Be Aware of Symptoms
For people under the age of 45 the need to undergo colon cancer screening varies. Those with a family history of the disease may be considered high-risk and need to start colonoscopy screening earlier. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor about screening:
- Change in bowel habits
- Change in the color of stool
- Abdominal pain
- Unintended weight loss
- Anemia
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