Understanding Colon Cancer
- American rock band “Band of Heathens” co-founder and musician Gordy Quist, 45, has been diagnosed with stage 3B colorectal cancer after his first routine colonoscopy detected a tumor despite having zero symptoms, prompting him to urge fans to get screened.
- Colon cancer is highly treatable and curable when detected early. Screening options include at-home tests like Cologuard, though medical experts recommend a colonoscopy for more effective detection.
- Colorectal screenings are generally advised starting at age 45, but individuals with higher risk factors, such as a family history of colon cancer, may need earlier testing. Consulting a doctor about screening options is recommended.
- Know that it is normal to feel sad about changes in your life that might be brought on by death or a cancer diagnosis. Some days can be tougher than others, and overall, talk therapy is helpful — so it’s important to reach out to your doctor, to a therapist or to support groups in your community if you are struggling after loss.
- If you have a colon cancer screening coming up or have recently had one, you may have questions you want answered. SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool “My Health Questions” is designed specifically for patients and caregivers.
Quist, who co-founded American rock and roll band Band of the Heathens, was diagnosed October 20 and shared the news with fans in a video shared on social media. Now, he’s stepping away from touring to focus on treatment.
Read MoreQuist wrote alongside the footage, “I have some news to share. Two weeks ago, my first routine colonoscopy turned up colorectal cancer. Stage 3B. (Yes, butt jokes are officially allowed.)View this post on Instagram
“I feel strong, my odds look good, and I’m not going through this alone. I made a video to tell you the whole story, what’s next for me and the band, and one thing I really need you to do. Please watch. With love and gratitude, Gordy.”
In a video, Quist opened with characteristic warmth before getting straight to the point.
“Hey y’all, I have some unfortunate news to share,” he said. “October 20th, a week and a half ago, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.”
Expert Resources on Colorectal Cancer
- Why a Tailored Approach to Colon Cancer Treatment Matters
- ‘Colon Cancer Has a PR Problem’: ‘Today’ Anchor Craig Melvin Urges Black Americans to Learn Their Family History, Talk About It
- Colon Cancer Screening Options And Genetics: Myth Busting With Dr. Heather Yeo
- FDA Approves Blood Test for Colon Cancer Screening — What This Means for Patients
- Colon Cancer: Introduction to Prevention and Screening
- How to Approach Treatment for Advanced Colon Cancer
He quickly turned the announcement into a call to action, urging viewers to “please get your colonoscopy if you’re overdue,” adding, “It’s super easy, not a big deal.”
“I’m very fortunate that I went to get mine because I’ve had zero symptoms,” he explained further. “And likely would have not had symptoms for a while.”
Doctors found what he described as “a small three centimeter tumor” and additional testing revealed more.
Dr. Paul Oberstein Explains Common Colon Cancer Symptoms
“We have since found that there is a lymph node right behind it that’s also lighting up and is likely cancerous,” he said. However, he mentioned that his scans are encouraging as the disease has not spread to distant organs.
“Fortunately, it hasn’t spread outside of that very localized area. My liver looks clean, my lungs look clean, and other lymph nodes also look like they’re okay for now,” Quist added.
He then repeated his plea to fans: “So please get your colonoscopy if you have not and you’re over 45.”
For now, Quist will take a break from pausing to focus on his treatment journey.
“Unfortunately, this means I will not be touring with the Band of Heathens for a little while. I don’t know how long, but I’m gonna dive headfirst into this challenge and be focused on this,” he concluded.
View this post on Instagram
Quist was praised with support for sharing his diagnosis and encouraging others to get checked, prompting one person to commented, “Thank you for bringing a valuable PSA into an otherwise very personal chapter of your life. Colonoscopy only or bust; no other means of detection is as accurate. I get them every three years and celebrate the absence of calories with a heap French toast. You’ve so got this, my friend. Keep the spirits high.”
Another musician commented, “First, I am so sorry to hear this and will be sending lots of love and prayers to you and your family. Second, I can’t imagine how incredibly difficult this must be, and the fact that you are choosing to share is amazing to me and this reminder might just save someone else’s life.
“It sucks that colonoscopies and endoscopies are not really covered by Insurance typically until you’re over 45, but I feel like it’s something that everyone should do every couple of years regardless of age. I struggle with ulcers and have just decided to get myself checked every so often just in case and honestly this was the reminder I needed to go check again since it’s been a while, so thank you. It’s so crazy how quickly stuff like this can sneak up on you.”
View this post on Instagram
Another wrote, “Love you Gordy. You’ve got this and we’ll be alongside of you to every step of the way.
“Not the story we wanted for you, but a story we know you’ll tell well, with typical Gordy perspective and wisdom, during and on the other side.”
WATCH: Understanding a colonoscopy
Colon Cancer Is Treatable and Curable When Caught Early
Colon cancer is very treatable and curable if caught early. Colon cancer screenings can involve at-home tests such as Cologuard, but a colonoscopy is more effective, according to SurvivorNet experts.
The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts.
When you have a colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist looks for polyps inside your intestine. Although polyps can’t be felt, they can be picked up by screening tests before they cause a problem, such as colon or rectal (colorectal) cancer.
A polyp found during a colonoscopy can be removed, which can prevent the development of cancer. Almost all polyps that are removed are precancerous, meaning that they have not yet progressed to cancer.
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for colorectal screening from 50 to 45. However, experts recommend screening earlier for some people who may be at an increased risk of developing colon cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease.
WATCH: Debunking misconceptions about colon cancer.
The most poignant signature of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits. Changes in the size or shape of bowel movements may cause constipation or diarrhea. A change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor deep in the colon.
Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period of time, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.
A Colonoscopy Explained
A colonoscopy is a screening test that allows doctors to examine the inside of the colon for signs of cancer or other abnormalities.
To prepare, the colon must be completely emptied. Your doctor will prescribe a bowel prep—a liquid solution taken the night before—that works as a strong laxative and triggers multiple loose stools to clear the colon.
With the colon clean, the gastroenterologist can carefully inspect the lining and remove or evaluate any polyps or suspicious areas.
Follow‑up timing depends on what’s found. If polyps are present, especially larger or multiple ones, doctors typically recommend repeating the colonoscopy in three to five years.
WATCH: What Doctors Look for During Colonoscopies
What Treatment Options Exist for Colon Cancer?
“There are a lot of advances being made in colorectal cancer,” Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist and colorectal surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, previously told SurvivorNet.
Colon cancer treatment is more targeted, meaning doctors often test for specific changes or genetic mutations that cause cancer growth.
Biomarkers are key to tailoring specific treatments. Biomarkers are molecular patterns becoming more commonly used in colon cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and management. According to the National Cancer Institute, a biomarker is “a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or a condition or disease,” such as cancer.
“In colon cancer, we’re starting to look more and more at people’s biomarkers, so we’re starting to take the cancers, sequence them, understand where the different mutations are to figure out whether or not someone has a normal gene here or an abnormal gene,” Dr. Yeo explained.
“Those are the areas that people want to be able to target a little bit more. We’re getting close to more of what we would call precision medicine, meaning we can start looking at people’s genetic mutations and think about how they might respond to different drugs.”
WATCH: Colon cancer symptoms.
There are different types of biomarkers, including DNA, proteins, and genetic mutations found in blood, tumor tissue, or other body fluids. The biomarkers most commonly used in colon cancer management are:
- Genetic mutations within the tumor, such as MMR/MSI, KRAS, BRAF, and HER2
- Bloodstream carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
CEA is a protein produced by most tumor cells (but not all) and can be picked up in the bloodstream. High CEA levels do not establish a colon cancer diagnosis. However, higher CEA levels correlate with a worse prognosis and potential metastasis. Carcinoembryonic antigen is important for post-treatment follow-up to ensure the cancer hasn’t returned. Be sure to check with your doctor before treatment starts to ensure a CEA blood sample has been obtained.
More on Treating Colon Cancer
Surgery and chemotherapy are common approaches to colorectal cancer.
Some examples of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved chemotherapy drug treatments include:
- FOLFOX: leucovorin, 5-FU, and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
- FOLFIRI: leucovorin, 5-FU, and irinotecan (Camptosar)
- CAPEOX or CAPOX: capecitabine (Xeloda) and oxaliplatin
- FOLFOXIRI: leucovorin, 5-FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan
- Trifluridine and tipiracil (Lonsurf)
WATCH: Understanding Your Options with Metastatic Colon Cancer
Among metastatic colon cancer patients, multiple treatment options exist, including surgical and non-surgical options.
One treatment option includes an oral treatment called Fruquintinib, which is a targeted therapy for adults with metastatic colorectal cancer who have tried other treatments. Results from a trial published last year showed the drug improved overall survival and progression-free survival, which measures the amount of time before the cancer returns or spreads. It works by blocking the growth of blood vessels, which increases tumor growth.
Once you get to the metastatic setting, many patients “just run out of options,” Jennifer Elliott, head of solid tumors at Takeda, explained to SurvivorNet at the ASCO Annual Meeting. So it was critically important for Takeda to do this deal to in-license fruquintinib. We hope to give patients another option.”
Fruquintinib has been approved in China since 2018 and was originally developed by the Chinese biopharmaceutical company HUTCHMED. In January 2023, Takeda Oncology acquired the exclusive worldwide license for the drug outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
What You Should Know About Colon Cancer Risk Factors
For some people, certain risk factors can influence their risk of getting colon cancer. They include the following:
- Are older. About 90% of cases are in people aged 50 or older, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Yet it is possible to get this cancer earlier in life.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can, over time, cause cells in your intestines to turn cancerous.
- Have a family history of this cancer. Just under one-third of people who get colon cancer have family members with the disease.
- Have a gene mutation. About 5% of colorectal cancers are caused by an inherited genetic mutation that causes syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
- Don’t exercise very often. Staying active can lower your risk.
- Eat a diet that’s high in meat. Regularly eating red meats like burgers and steaks, and processed meats such as hot dogs and bacon might put you at higher risk. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead might lower your risk.
- You are overweight or obese. Having too much weight increases your risk of both getting colon cancer and dying from it.
- Drink a lot of alcohol. Limiting alcohol to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men could help lower your risk.
- Use tobacco. Long-term smokers are more likely to get this cancer than nonsmokers.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, here are some questions you may ask your doctor.
- What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
- If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
- What support services are available to me? To my family?
- Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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