Colon cancer survivor Karen Fisher transformed her pain of diagnosis into a purpose to help others.

The Inverness, Florida, pharmacist helps newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) patients find support resources and encourages adults to get timely preventive screenings.

“I have been able to help friends, coworkers and neighbors get screened for colon cancer,” Fisher said. “It makes me feel good to be able to help other people prevent going through what I went through.”

Fisher learned she had Stage 2A colon cancer at age 54.

“Colon cancer wasn’t really even on the radar,” she said. “So, it was kind of a shock.”

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This monthlong campaign promotes the research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and, ultimately, cure for this disease.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates about 106,590 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer and about 46,220 with rectal cancer in 2024.

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Getting Screened

In 2016, experts recommended that colorectal cancer screenings begin at 50 for people at average risk for the disease. Fisher turned 50 that year but made excuses to postpone her screening.

“I was busy with work and teenagers and after-school activities, and you know, moms take care of everybody else but themselves,” she said. “I had even driven my husband to his colonoscopy when he turned 50. He’s five months younger than me.”

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended the screening age be lowered to 45 in 2021 because of an increase in cancer in younger people. CRC is now the number one cause of cancer death in men and the second in women younger than 50.

Fisher had no family history of CRC and did not think she had any symptoms.

“I had blood in the stool, but at the time I was perimenopausal, and I thought I was spotting between periods,” she said. “Looking back, I can recognize that yes, I had a symptom.”

Fisher’s health insurance required her to get a colonoscopy at the hospital where she works.

“That was one thing that prevented me from getting screened in a timely manner. I didn’t want to get naked in front of my coworkers,” she said. “I knew everyone in the endoscopy department. I didn’t want them to see me, so I put it off.”

Colonoscopy Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

In May 2020, Fisher tried to donate blood but was turned away because her hemoglobin level was low. Blood tests revealed Fisher had iron deficiency anemia. To determine the cause, her family doctor ordered a colonoscopy.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a backlog of cases at the hospital, and the urgent nature of her anemia, she was able to get a medical exception to have the procedure at Citrus Endoscopy and Surgery Center, an AMSURG-affiliated ambulatory surgery center, in nearby Crystal River.

Gastroenterologist Trupti Shinde, MD, performed the colonoscopy and found a 5 cm mass in Fisher’s colon. Dr. Shinde referred her to Parth Patel, MD, general surgeon, to remove the tumor and scheduled surgery in July 2020. Pathology revealed that the cancer was Stage 2A.

“It was just such a whirlwind of activity with me. You know, me still trying to work full time, too, and trying to process all of this in my head,” Fisher said.

A Foundation to Help CRC Patients

About six months post-surgery, Fisher scheduled a follow-up appointment with Dr. Shinde. The two discussed the lack of support and resources for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers.

“After recovery, I asked all my doctors about a support group for colon cancer but none of them knew of any,” Fisher said. “I did a lot of research online and found a lot of good resources. I wanted to share them with other colon cancer patients.”

Patient and doctor began offering support groups at the local library without much success. Undeterred, they refocused their efforts on compiling a list of patient resources into a pamphlet designed by Fisher’s son. Then they shared the pamphlets with local surgery centers and healthcare facilities for distribution to CRC patients.

From this outreach, Fisher worked with Dr. Shinde and Dr. Patel to create the nonprofit Citrus Colorectal Cancer Foundation. The foundation started in June 2021, Fisher’s one-year “cancerversary.”

The foundation offers direction for educational, financial and emotional support for CRC patients, caregivers and the community. The foundation is planning ColonFest ‘24 on March 23 and the second annual Charity Casino Night in April.

A New Survivor Lifestyle

Currently, there are more than one million colorectal cancer survivors in the U.S.

Fisher is fully healed three and a half years after her surgery.

“Everything is back to normal, and I can barely see the scars from the surgery,” she said.

A self-proclaimed chocoholic and a junk food junkie, Fisher adopted a healthier lifestyle, eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables and avoiding too much red meat, sugary foods and drinks.

“I lost 25 pounds after my surgery and recovery,” she said. “I feel like if I eat junk food then my cancer might come back.”

Even more so than diet or exercise, experts recognize regular colon cancer screening is the most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer. Fisher said she gets all her health screenings on time and doesn’t self-diagnose health conditions anymore.

Fisher, now 57, advises people not to make excuses and get screened on time.

“There are many types of colon cancer screening available these days, but I always recommend a colonoscopy,” Fisher said.

During a colonoscopy, your doctor can find and remove any polyps — often before they become cancerous. Colonoscopy is the only screening method that can detect and prevent colorectal cancer.

If you choose to take a stool test and receive a positive result, you need a follow-up colonoscopy to determine the cause.

Fisher keeps tabs on her family’s health screenings. One in three people with colorectal cancer have family members who also had it, according to the ACS. People with a family history of colorectal cancer, past polyps or specific genetic cancer syndromes should start screening earlier.

“My family is more aware of possible colon cancer symptoms since it can run in families,” she said. “They have been very supportive of me and my journey.”

In 2025, Fisher is looking forward to celebrating five years with no evidence of disease. She is even considering cheating on her diet.

“Maybe, once I reach the five-year mark, I will celebrate with some chocolate cake,” she said.

After retirement, Fisher said she wants to share the foundation’s mission in person across the U.S.

“I would love to buy an RV and travel all over the country, delivering my pamphlets to every scoping center I can find,” she said. “I would love to have regular support group meetings and help others go through this unwanted journey.”

Schedule Your Colonoscopy

CRC diagnosis in adults 40-49 has increased by nearly 15 percent in the past decade. Younger people tend to have more aggressive tumors that may be more difficult to treat.

Experts recommend colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45 for adults who are at average risk.

“Prevention is a cure, and we have to prevent bad things,” Dr. Shinde said. “And I tell my patients, if you’re healthy and you want to do all these things in your life, then you are the perfect candidate to get the colonoscopy because it’s the best preventive tool.”

Scheduling your colonoscopy at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) may be a good option because ASCs are dedicated to specific procedures and may be less expensive.

“A great colonoscopy is not a job of only a physician. It’s a team,” Dr. Shinde said. “It’s a team effort, and it’s a well-oiled machine at an ASC.”

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This article is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health concern, you should consult your healthcare provider.

From Ryan Reynolds’ viral video of his colonoscopy to the tragic passing of 43-year-old actor Chadwick Boseman, more attention has been placed on colorectal cancer in the past few years. As a two-time colon cancer survivor who wouldn’t be here had I not trusted my instincts and been screened, I’m urging you to practice self-care and “get your rear in gear.”

A report published in JAMA predicts colorectal cancer will be the No. 1 cancer killer of people aged 20-49 by the year 2030. Let that sink in.

That shouldn’t be the case. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. And when it’s caught earlier, there’s a greater chance of survival. That’s why medical experts recommend people who are at average risk start screening at age 45 instead of 50. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer are at higher risk and should start screening even earlier.

At 46, I was raising my teenage son, working and leading a busy lifestyle. I was also suffering from extreme exhaustion. When my primary care physician suggested I get a colonoscopy, I thought I’d walk away with some information about my gut health that would help me make better decisions about my health. I never expected to be told I had Stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to my liver.

I often think about how different life would be had I received my first screening a year earlier. Still, I am lucky and incredibly grateful to be alive.

After six years of surgeries, chemo, radiation, follow-up colonoscopies, another diagnosis, beating cancer for the second time and adapting to a new lifestyle with a colostomy bag, I cannot underscore the importance of timely screenings — especially a colonoscopy.

While there are different types of screenings, a colonoscopy is the only one that can detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous. Even if you take an at-home test and receive a positive result, you still need a follow-up colonoscopy.

Let’s be honest, getting a colonoscopy isn’t necessarily fun. But it’s essential for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life. In addition, there are ways to make talking about your gut health and the colonoscopy process less intimidating – dare I say, tolerable!

Trust Your Gut, Literally

I didn’t have traditional colorectal cancer symptoms, such as altered bowel habits, rectal bleeding or abdominal pain, but I knew my chronic fatigue wasn’t normal. In listening to my body, my care team was able to help me understand the source of my concerns and overcome my cancer diagnosis.

Be Open With Your Family

I didn’t have a family history of colorectal cancer. Still, that’s crucial information to know and share with your doctor. You’ll likely need to be screened earlier and more frequently. Likewise, if you have polyps removed or are diagnosed with cancer, tell your family. Encourage your family to be open. You can help save their lives.

Don’t Go Down the Dr. Google Rabbit Hole

If you notice any symptoms, tell your doctor and advocate for your health. Save yourself the time and headache of looking up plausible explanations and self-diagnosing. If you brush off your symptoms or delay care, you may put your health at greater risk.

Make Colonoscopy Prep a Party

The prep for a colonoscopy really isn’t that bad. If anything, it’s just inconvenient. That’s why I try to make it a party! When friends are prepping, I pledge to drink water with them. Each hour, I’ll text them a picture of my empty glass for motivation. The actual colonoscopy is pretty painless, quick and forgettable.

I beg you to trust yourself, listen to your providers and make poop jokes if it helps add some levity to a not-so-exciting topic. The more we talk about it, the more awareness we can generate and the more lives we can save. Give yourself the gift of life and talk to your doctor about when you should be screened.

Brenda Thompson Green is a two-time colon cancer survivor who has made it her mission to advocate for colorectal cancer awareness and empower people to take control of their health. She also works at AMSURG, a leading healthcare provider in the detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.