Fit Woman, 27, With Pain and Fatigue Was Diagnosed With Colon Cancer, Now Urges Others to 'Listen to Your Gut' How Can Young Adults Monitor for the Disease?

Mendico was described to be in good shape having gone to the gym five to six times a week. Her cancer diagnosis seemingly caught her by surprise. In February 2022, before being diagnosed, she reported having symptoms such as "excruciating stomach pains, changes in bowel movements, unusual bloating, low iron, brain fog, and fatigue."

Then she noticed something else, "drops of blood in her stool."

Being Aware of Colon Cancer Symptoms is Key

As her symptoms persisted, she scheduled an appointment with her doctor. She went to see her physician "six times" but was repeatedly turned away. The 27-year-old would not be deterred and that is something SurvivorNet experts encourage all patients to practice. If you feel you are not being heard fully by your doctor the first time, try again or seek out a different physician.

"It got to the point I was just passing blood. But I was told there was nothing they could do until I got a colonoscopy. I was so desperate," Mendico explained.

Fortunately, through Mendico's persistence, she was finally able to get a colonoscopy which revealed she had stage 3 colon cancer. Stage 3 cancers mean the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes around the colon.

Dr. Zuri Murrell explains why doctors look for polyps during a colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy, doctors screen the colon with a long thin tube attached to a camera. They look for anything abnormal including polyps. Polyps are abnormal lumps that grow in the colon or rectum. If they are not removed from the colon, they may become cancerous.

"I knew I had a tumor…or a pretty good idea that something was very wrong and that something was obstructing my rectum," Mendico said.

She underwent surgery to remove the tumor and endured nine rounds of chemotherapy. Luckily, her treatment proved successful because Mednico's cancer is in remission, 7News reports.

Understanding Colon Cancer and Prevention

Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects your large intestine (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum).

A colonoscopy helps screen for this kind of cancer. Depending on where the cancer is found along your colon this cancer can take on different names including anal or rectal cancer and bowel cancer.

The cancer starts when 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 experts.

Most colon cancers can be prevented if people are regularly screened.

"We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early," Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet.

The American Cancer Society and the American Gastrointestinal Association recommend colorectal screening begin at age 45. However, you should talk about your screening timeline with your doctor.

Colon cancer symptoms and warning signs include:

• Change in bowel movement
• Bloody stool
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling the bowel does not empty completely
• Unexplained weight loss
• Constant abdominal pain or cramps

If you notice concerning symptoms or changes to your body, it's important to discuss them with your doctor promptly.

Dr. Heather Yeo weighs in on the rise of colon cancer rates in younger adults.

Colon Cancer is Impacting Younger People

The average age people are diagnosed with colon cancer is 68 for men and 72 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. Mendico is among a growing trend of younger people getting the disease.

The National Cancer Institute reports that since the 1990s colorectal cancer cases have been rising among adults younger than 50. Research published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians found the proportion of cases in people younger than 55 years old "increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019."

"We know rates are increasing in young people, but it's alarming to see how rapidly the whole patient population is shifting younger, despite shrinking numbers in the overall population," cancer epidemiologist and lead study author Rebecca Siegel said.

Researchers are still trying to determine why younger people are being diagnosed in greater numbers. Some experts point to risk factors which include obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking as a possible explanation for the increase.

"We don't know for sure why we are seeing earlier onset and death from colon cancer,"  Dr. Yeo told SurvivorNet.

"It is likely a combination of factors, including diet and genetics as well as access to care and some environmental factors," Dr. Yeo added.

Mendico, now 29, hopes by sharing her cancer journey, other young people will heed the warnings their body may be sending them.

"We know our body and gut more than anyone else. If something feels wrong, keep advocating. If you're not getting the answer you want, find another doctor. Listen to your gut," Mendico said.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms that may be associated with colon cancer, you should contact your doctor. Here are some questions you can ask your physician.

• Is it possible for me to get a colonoscopy?
• Will my insurance cover a colonoscopy if I’m not within the recommended age range?
• (If diagnosed) What stage is my cancer?
• What are my treatment options?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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