Living with Cancer
- Dancer Criscilla Anderson, 42, who is married to country music star Coffey Anderson, 45, has been living with stage 4 colon cancer since 2018 and was back in the hospital on Friday to have a spot removed from her liver, one of the areas colon cancer most commonly spreads.
- Three years after Criscilla’s initial stage 4 diagnosis in 2018, she remarkably showed no evidence of disease (NED) in 2021, but the cancer unfortunately came back in early 2022. With stage 4 cancer colon cancer, it is not curable, but is possible to manage it as a disease.
- We tend to hear about men getting colon cancer way more often than women. But yes, colon cancer does affect women too. And because people sometimes have no symptoms in early stages, screening is critically important, even for people with no history of the disease.
- When colon cancer spreads to the liver, surgery is recommended when the tumor or tumors can be safely removed. However, surgery may not be the way to go if it’s difficult to remove all the cancer, therefore, it’s important to get multiple opinions for your specific case before proceeding with surgery.
“Pray for @criscilla today. She is getting a ‘spot’ removed from her liver today in surgery,” Coffey (pronounced Cof-FEY) began in his text via Instagram Reel. “We’re hopeful, positive, but also nervous.”
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Criscilla and Coffey share Ethan, 11, Emmarie, 9, and 7-year-old Everleigh. Coffey also has a daughter Savannah, 21, from a previous marriage.
Expanding on his admiration for Criscilla in the caption, he wrote, “Cris, I know you’re nervous as anyone would be, but you still have the courage to keep doing all you can until this cancer is beat. You even flew by herself to ANOTHER STATE to get this procedure done. ?? That’s just shows that you’re always willing to do what it takes.”
“Me and the kids miss you, love you, support you, and admire all you do for us while fighting this. ?? As the kids always say ‘You got this, mom,’ ” the singer-songwriter added, signing off as “Fey,” also thanking their friend Leah, one of the “many angels” who has helped support them. Leah served as caregiver for Criscilla while Coffey held down the fort at their Dallas home.
Over the weekend, Coffey updated fans in the comments saying “surgery went well. Criscilla’s in recovery and her vitals are strong. Thank yall for praying.”
Criscilla later chimed in: “Wow…..no words❤️? ? so special. I love you my husband my family. And friends. Let the healing begin ?.”
Criscilla’s Cancer Journey
Ever since her diagnosis, Criscilla has warmed the hearts of fans with her zest for life and energy as she takes on this unfair disease.
Three years after Criscilla’s initial stage 4 diagnosis in 2018, she remarkably showed no evidence of disease (NED) in 2021, but the cancer unfortunately came back in early 2022. With stage 4 cancer colon cancer, it is not curable, but is possible to manage it as a disease. The goal is to improve the quality of life as much as possible while keeping the cancer at bay.
Throughout her various treatments, the spirited dancer and actress has coached and performed with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, and most recently in May, performed with the legendary Dolly Parton and country star Keith Urban at the American Country Music Awards. She has also danced in music videos for Rihanna, Britney Spears, and her loving husband.
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Coffey, who Criscilla has said has been a rock for her and their kids, jokingly refers to himself as a “trophy husband” at times, proudly sharing his wife’s professional accomplishments on Instagram, and more importantly, her health accomplishments as she balances setbacks with the disease while juggling her busy mom life.
Earlier this month, Criscilla flew to Germany to take part in a trial, though the full details are unclear on whether or not it was a clinical trial.
“Last week’s ‘cell collection.’ They are taking my white blood cells out,” the former Netflix reality star wrote over a video of herself laying in a medical facility. White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system, which, when they’re functioning properly, help fight against infection and disease.
“In the next 4-6 weeks they will manufacture them to be able [to] find cancer cells in my body and fight. Hoping these can go back in my body soon. Doctor said 1-5-9 months.”
“They want to see how some other patients do with this treatment first. It’s the hardest treatment they say,” she added of the trial, which appears to be a type of cellular immunotherapy. “I’m praying over these cells that God is going to use them for my miracle.”
Understanding Colon Cancer
Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects your large intestine (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum).
The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. If you don’t have these polyps removed, they can sometimes change into cancer. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet’s medical experts.
Stage Four Colon Cancer: ‘Not All Patients are the Same’
The most common sites for late-stage colon cancer that’s metastasized, or spread, are the liver, lungs, and peritoneum (the lining in your abdomen). Each case is very different; therefore, the treatment options differ for each patient.
Although people older than 50 years old are still at the greatest risk of developing colon cancer, researchers are finding a growing number of younger people getting colon cancer in recent years.
Colon Cancer Most Commonly Spreads to the Liver
There is some debate about how to treat colon cancer when it spreads to the liver, which is the most common site of metastasis.
Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist and colorectal surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell says surgery is recommended when the spread is limited and the tumor or tumors can be safely removed. However, surgery may not be the way to go if it’s difficult to remove all the cancer.
“I think the key point is that liver disease can be a little or a lot, and management depends on that.” Dr. Yeo says, and recommends going to a multidisciplinary center where numerous doctors can weigh in on your particular case.
“We’ve actually learned, over the last decade, that by taking out the colorectal liver metastases, if there is not a lot of them, we can improve long-term survival for patients. It depends kind of on the aggressiveness of the tumor and the location of the liver metastases.”
“But, if we can get the liver metastases out pretty quickly, then I think it’s worth trying to get them out,” Dr. Yeo adds.
When Colon Cancer Spreads to the Liver
“My general belief is that if you don’t think you can cut out all the cancer, I don’t think you should take out part of it and you should leave some behind,” Dr. Yeo continues. “Usually, what we would do, is we would treat them with chemotherapy. And if that little piece doesn’t act up and 10 more pieces don’t sprout up somewhere else, then you can take out that little piece and you can cure them of the disease.”
“Because, when you do a big surgery, what happens is the patient’s immune system is compromised and oftentimes patients will come back with more cancer.”
Yes, Women Do Get Colon Cancer
We tend to hear about men getting colon cancer way more often than women. But yes, colon cancer does affect women too.
“Colon cancer affects both men and women, it’s actually the third most common cancer in the United States,” Dr. Yeo shares.
Yeo says people often don’t know that they have colon cancer because they have no symptoms, and that screening is critically important, even for people with no history of the disease.
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