“I Was Told It Was a Gluten Allergy — But It Was Stage Four Colon Cancer”: 27 Year Old Nurse’s Life-Changing Journey

According to a story in The Daily Mail, Shannin, who was relatively healthy, began experiencing lower left abdominal pain after meals. Initially, she thought it might be something as simple as a food intolerance. But when the pain persisted, she made an appointment with her doctor, who ordered blood tests. When the results came back “normal,” she was reassured that it wasn’t anything serious.

After Shannin’s symptoms worsened, she tried to seek answers, but doctors insisted that it couldn’t possibly be anything like cancer at her age. Instead, they suggested it could be a gluten allergy. After some testing, which came back negative, her symptoms were still being brushed off.

Shannin’s story isn’t, unfortunately, that uncommon. Many people find themselves being misdiagnosed or dismissed by doctors when their symptoms don’t fit the typical mold. As we’ve seen in Survivornet’s stories on being misdiagnosed, patients—especially younger individuals—are often told they’re “too young” or “too healthy” to have serious conditions like cancer, leading to delayed diagnoses that can have devastating consequences.

The Turning Point: Trusting Her Instincts

After months of unanswered questions, Shannin made the decision to seek a second opinion at urgent care in March 2024. Despite her worsening symptoms, she was once again told that she likely had a gluten allergy. But when tests came back negative again, the doctor finally ordered an ultrasound, which revealed lesions on her liver and a mass on her ovary. This led to further imaging — and ultimately, a shocking discovery: Shannin had stage four colorectal cancer.

For Shannin, this was a pivotal moment. She had to push through months of frustration, but her persistence paid off. Her story is a stark reminder that listening to your own body and trusting your instincts can make all the difference in receiving the right diagnosis. As highlighted in Survivornet’s article on how to avoid being misdiagnosed, patients need to feel empowered to seek a second opinion when they feel their symptoms are being ignored or misinterpreted.

 

Understanding Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer (CRC), is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, and it can affect both men and women. Colorectal cancer typically begins as benign growths called polyps, which can eventually become cancerous if not detected and removed early. It often develops slowly over time, which is why the symptoms — such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, and unexplained weight loss — can sometimes be ignored or misattributed to other conditions.

In Shannin’s case, she presented with vague symptoms that didn’t initially raise the red flags associated with cancer, especially for someone so young. It’s a reminder that colorectal cancer doesn’t just affect older individuals, despite the common misconception. In fact, a growing number of younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer — a trend that’s been increasing over the last few decades.

As Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon at Cornell Medicine and SurvivorNet advisor explains in Survivornet’s guide to colon cancer screening and prevention, the risks of colorectal cancer increase with age. However younger people are getting colon cancer at increasingly higher rates, and need to advocate for themselves when something doesn’t feel right.

For people in middle of life and beyond, Dr. Yeo emphasizes the importance of early detection through regular screenings, especially for those who have a family history of the disease, or for individuals experiencing symptoms like Shannin’s.

Key Symptoms of Colon Cancer:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort: Often felt on the left side, which may be exacerbated by eating.
• Changes in bowel habits: Such as diarrhea, constipation, or a feeling of incomplete bowel movements.
• Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding: This can indicate a tumor in the colon.
• Unexplained weight loss and fatigue: A sign of potential cancer spreading.
• Nausea and vomiting: Especially when accompanied by severe abdominal pain.

Screening For Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is almost completely preventable with screening, but according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1/3 of adults are not getting the recommended screening.

Early-stage colorectal cancer often shows no symptoms, which is why routine screenings are essential — especially for individuals over the age of 45 (or younger for those with a family history of the disease). For those who have had symptoms like Shannin’s, a colonoscopy may be recommended much earlier, depending on risk factors.

Survivornet Guide’s guide to Prevention & Screening for Colon Cancer provides more information on when and how to get screened, and how early detection can save lives.

 

 

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