, , , , ,

Golf Clubs, Colonoscopies, and Colorectal Cancer Awareness with Suzanne Miller

Mom, wife, realtor, runner, cellist, and colon cancer survivor for five and a half years. Suzanne Miller was taken aback when she was diagnosed with Stage I colon cancer at the age of 40. Colorectal cancer screenings start at 45 years for average-risk adults. She was in good health, trained for marathons, and ate well. Luckily, she was able to undergo surgery on November 18, 2016, to remove the cancer. 

Suzanne realized she aspired to turn this event in her life into something good rather than dwelling on the fact that she had cancer. Since her surgery, on the 18th of each month, she spreads awareness by posting on Instagram and Facebook to remind individuals to “keep their rear in the clear.” Everyone who is over 45, under 45 with symptoms, or has a family history of colon or rectal cancer should get screened for colorectal cancer. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer should start screenings at 40 years or 10 years prior to the earliest diagnosis age in their family.

Survivor and Colon Cancer Awareness Advocate

Suzanne came across the Colon Cancer Foundation (CCF) while she was researching for a marathon to run in New York while raising money for a charity. She reached out to the Foundation and planned to run in the 2020 marathon, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That didn’t dampen Suzanne’s spirit. She completed the marathon in her hometown and raised the money with support from her friends and family members who participated in the run. She looks forward to running again in the 2023 Colon Cancer Challenge.

This past February, as a CCF Champion, Suzanne and her husband were invited to attend the Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona. She represented CCF and was able to meet 90 other like-minded individuals who shared her passion to make a difference and prevent early onset of colon cancer. Inspired to raise money and awareness in her hometown, Suzanne partnered with her husband’s golf club to hold a fundraising golf tournament on May 16, 2022. She was supported in her efforts by her friend, a 10-year colon cancer survivor who also works to spread colorectal cancer awareness. The event had 10 sponsors, 13 teams, and 20 hole sponsors that covered most of the costs. Half of the profits will go to their local nonprofit, CRC Life, and the other half will go to CCF.

Suzanne emphasizes that people need to be more comfortable discussing colon cancer, as they do other topics. Ever since she began raising awareness on social media, Suzanne has received messages from individuals when they received a colonoscopy, got a polyp removed, or discovered they have a family history of colon cancer. Through her experience as a young, healthy woman diagnosed with colon cancer, she brings attention to the fact that cancer does not discriminate. She always tells individuals to remind their friends and family to get a colonoscopy. “Even having one person find out that they do not have cancer is a win,” she says. Suzanne loves that we live in a world where we can speak our mind, while being kind and courteous, and have people that listen and don’t discount the matter at hand. 

 

Kenadi Kaewmanaprasert is an intern with the Colon Cancer Foundation.

/by

Fundraiser Spotlight: Patricia

Patricia’s story begins a bit differently than many Colon Cancer cases, when a tumor in her colon caused an infection, leading her to a diagnosis of Colon Cancer. Since her diagnosis, Patricia has made a great effort to spread awareness to people of younger ages, who seem to be diagnosed more and more often these days, and has raised over 1,000 dollars for the Colon Cancer Foundation;

“My story is I was diagnosed with colon cancer this past March 5th. (It was a) Very scary time for me. I am lucky that even though my tumor in my colon was very large I was fortunate that it did not spread to other organs or my lymph nodes. I had surgery on March 11.  I am currently going through chemotherapy. 

 I think it is important to spread awareness and as it seems, people are getting colon cancer at younger ages now. I am 55 but recently I have a friend and cousin who were diagnosed who are in their 40s. Hoping by putting this fundraiser out there my friends and family will consider getting colonoscopies. My case was not found through a colonoscopy but pain in my abdomen as the tumor caused an infection. Thank god for that infection.”

Thank you for your amazing contribution Patricia and we wish you the best of luck in your journey with chemotherapy. 

Inspired by Patricia’s story to start your own fundraiser for CCF? Instructions here: https://coloncancerfoundation.org/events/organize-your-own-fundraising-event/?fbclid=IwAR23xzwdF-K8j0t-WETp-gzIjj0j-LpXg49ywZ8g-YQjSM8vK722Mis4h-k

 

/by
,

Community Connections: Jamie Crespo

Jamie Crespo, 29

What is your experience with Colon Cancer? (Are you a patient, survivor, advocate, or caregiver?)

Both my parents were diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017.This was unexpected since cancer did not run in my immediate family. My dad showed signs of weight loss and anemia. He eventually was scheduled for a colonoscopy. In my gut feeling, I knew what the worst diagnosis would be and did not want to believe that it could be cancer. In mid-April, my parents and I found out that my dad had a large mass in his colon and needed surgery. This was the worst news that my family and I received. He was supposed to have surgery mid-summer but had a reaction to a cardiology test that pushed his surgery back to August. My dad had a colectomy to remove the part of the colon that had the mass. He stayed in the hospital for a few days. He had to undergo eleven rounds of chemotherapy with diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer. With good news, he has been in remission since then.

 

While my dad was going through chemotherapy, my mom scheduled a colonoscopy that was long overdue from the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, her gastroenterologist told me he found polyps and a small mass in her colon that needed surgery to be removed. In November, she had laparoscopic colon surgery to remove the mass and was successful. She stayed in the hospital for a few days as well. Luckily, they removed everything and she did not need chemotherapy for treatment.

 

Did you have any family history of colon cancer before your parents were diagnosed?

I did have a cousin that was diagnosed before my parents.

 

Has your experience impacted your lifestyle? If yes, what are some changes you’ve made?

Exercising regularly, healthy eating habits, seeing a primary care physician yearly. 

 

Is there someone or something that you have leaned on for support during this time? How did they help you?

When my parents were both diagnosed the same year, my support group, that included my family and close friends, came to visit when my parents were in the hospital. If I needed to talk to them they were there for me. 

 

What advice would you give to others who are experiencing the same situation as you?

Definitely have a support group that you can talk to and get a colon cancer screening at age of 50 if not sooner. 

 

/by
,

Community Connections: Brittney Waldrop

Brittney Waldrop 32, female, patient

How did you discover your diagnosis? How old were you at the time? Did you have symptoms? 

I was 31 years young when diagnosed. I went in for my first ever colonoscopy and they found one polyp that was cancerous. I had symptoms for about 5 years, but they were unfortunately overlooked by many doctors. I experienced extreme exhaustion; I could drink 8 cups of coffee a day and still go to sleep! I also occasionally had bloody stools, but they were bright red instead of the black they tell you to look for. Doctors kept saying that it was just hemorrhoids but didn’t look into it any further. If they did, maybe I wouldn’t be stage 4 at this point! It could’ve been caught sooner!

 

Did you have any prior knowledge about colon cancer before you were diagnosed? For instance, did you know about the symptoms and factors that lead to a higher risk of CRC? Did you know your family history?

I did not know anything and I do not have a family history of colon cancer.

 

Has your experience impacted your lifestyle? If so, what are some changes you’ve made?

Yes, it made me realize that life is short, and to live each day to the fullest! I’m weaker than I used to be, so I’ve been slowly trying to build my strength back up as well. 

 

It’s great that you’ve been taking the steps to regain your strength! Is there anything specific that you’ve been doing for this?

I have been walking, riding my stationary bike, reading my daily religion book, stretching and taking wheatgrass shots daily!

 

Is there someone or something that you have leaned on for support during this time?

Facebook support groups, my family & friends, and the hospital that I received care from.

 

What advice would you give to others who are experiencing the same situation as you?

Breathe, it’s going to be okay!

 

For more information related to colon cancer contact us today: www.coloncancerfoundation.org

/by