“I Learned to Not be Afraid”: Survivor Shannon Maser Took on Cancer and Lynch Syndrome

Shannon Masur is determined. As a lifelong athlete, she’s familiar with pushing her body when the going gets tough. But when she found out she had colon cancer and Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation that increases a person’s risk for a variety of different cancers, it was a whole different ballgame. “I led a really healthy, active lifestyle, so when I was diagnosed, it was a shocker to me,” Shannon says.

She says the double diagnosis was like two punches to the gut … but eventually she was able to put those hits to good use. “I was able to get involved with organizations that deal with Lynch Syndrome … that has helped me to handle and learn about the actual syndrome … it’s empowered me to learn more about this condition and use this information to go forward and not be afraid of Lynch Syndrome.”

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