How I Discovered I had Colorectal Cancer | Amy's 3b Colon Cancer Story | The Patient Story 

Hi, I just got back from a colonoscopy and endoscopy. The results were completely normal. I have had blood in my rectum, unexplained anemia, severe stomach pain, constipation and based on all my Google findings, diagnosed myself with advance colon cancer. They found Nothing, not even a benign polyp. I wanted to share this because I couldn’t find enough of these types of posts when I was looking for answers myself. Sometimes the research we do drives us completely bonkers, wasting hours and days and even weeks assuming the absolute worst! There are soooo many other explanations for symptoms than the worst case scenarios & statistically, it is more likely NOT to have cancer than to have it🙌🏼 Unfortunately, I know this is NOT everyone’s experience and people are diagnosed everyday and have to walk the hard battle out but I wanted to be a voice of hope in the self diagnosis process. Get tested. Don’t ignore symptoms. But don’t assume❤️

I went to my doctor for rectal bleeding and pain. She told me it wss just hemmoroids and said I could not get a colonoscopy until I turned 50. After a year of complaining, I finally got my colonoscopy. May 2022 is when I got the news of my colon cancer. I spent most of 2022 in treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation, and so many trips to Mayo in Rochester, MN. I'm now in recovery. Thank you for sharing these stories. It's good to know I'm not alone.

I had Stage 3 Colon Cancer... Lynch. I beat it! 🙏🙏🙏

Good for you for speaking up. My step-brother died of colon cancer at 32. He suffered for years, but was too embarrassed to tell anyone, even a doctor. They found his journal hidden.

Lost my spouse to colorectal cancer at age 48, she did not catch it early, married 17 years, I'm a percussionist in a classic rock band, met her at a gig, thank you for helping others and I'm praying for you and your family, 🙏🙏, be strong.

I was 64 and had never had a colonoscopy. Tsk tsk. I was tired. Anemic. And bleeding that I ignored for at least a year. At first, blood when I wiped. Then blood all the time in my underwear. Then I was passing blood clots. Then the pain that finally sent me to the ER. I got a CT scan and the sweet Dr made a colonoscopy appointment for me, put his hand on my shoulder and said, don’t miss it. And I didn’t. A couple of weeks later I left the hospital without that 2a egg sized tumor and 12” of large intestine. Had an ileostomy for two months and have lived to tell the tale. Love to you girl.

I was 21 when I had cancer. I had surgery and chemo and so far I’m still alive and kicking. Thank you for sharing your story!

I am so honored to be a small part of your survival story! You were such an amazing patient with so much love and light. Thank you for bringing that everyday.

I thought my bleeding was internal hemorrhoids but it ended up being colon and liver cancer. I've been receiving treatments for thirteen months and I always tell anyone new at the Cancer Center to never lose hope.

I'm 22 and getting my first colonoscopy. It feels awful when your family doctor waves your concern over symptoms. Labelling it as "just your anxiety" is so overwhelming. Luckily I have a specialist who listens. My heart goes out to you.

I cannot believe this poor woman had such a hard time getting a colonoscopy after BLEEDING. That's freaking tell-tale, even if you're younger than 45. We have an awful food supply that's been sprayed with Round-Up, we're bombarded with fast food and sugar every day of our lives, new moms are stressed beyond belief, and people are getting sicker much younger. Doctors should already be aware of this and be willing to test. Bravo to this woman for fighting for her health, and standing up to the lab coats that all apparently think patients are stupid or hysterical.

I’m 51 and was diagnosed with 3B as well 2 yrs ago. I’m currently in remission but continue to test every 3 months for recurrence or metastasis. For me, the mental anguish of whether this comes back or not is far more worse than the surgery and 6 months of chemo. I wish you all the best in your recovery

Exact thing thing happened to me. I was diagnosed a year ago at the age of 39 (originally told it was just “anxiety”) I have went through all of the radiation and chemo and surgery coming up in a few weeks. Definitely been the hardest year of my life but I have 3 young kids so we must push forward. Thank you for being an advocate and sharing your story. It’s so helpful to know we are not in this fight alone💜🙏🏻

I had abdominal pain 3 months ago. It was a sharp pain just above the appendix. Went to urgent care and the doctor did not know what it was. Went to my primary care, and she did not know what it was. The pain went away but I decided to go to the GI doctor anyway. He immediately ordered a CT scan and it showed a tumor. It was cancer. I am having surgery in two weeks. I am so glad that I kept pressing for answers.. Please do not ignore symptoms. Do not accept it when they pass it off as anxiety.

Your doc is handling it differently (for others going forward) because YOU were brave and insistent. Many, many people have you to thank.

It is such a shame women have to fight so hard to be taken seriously about their health concerns. My husband went to the doctor one time complaining of back pain and right away an MRI was ordered. Testing done after the FIRST visit. Women get told its all in your head.

I am stunned by your story! I just beat stage 3 colon cancer and my diagnosis came in 3 days after going to the E.R. The E.R. is the place to go if you have a "gut" feeling.

I’ve been having signs of anxiety and coming across this video actually just made my anxiety worse but it’s nice to share your experience that doctors are not always right, and always do daily check ups your doctor

Imagine the numbers of women who lost their lives due to being dismissed.

Thank you for sharing your story about colorectal cancer I’m on my therapy now and I’m hopeful that I can overcome this serious situation. God is Good!

I’m praying for complete healing!

So glad you pushed to get the colonoscopy. I am so annoyed when doctors shrug things off especially because some of us pay a lot of money for health insurance.

I'm so glad you advocated hard for yourself, and everything worked out so well in the end. God bless you and your beautiful family. Attn everyone: NEVER allow any doctor to use that "It's just so unlikely..." line on you to get rid of you without seriously addressing your concerns! So many people have ended up dead because of that. Follow your gut, and stand strong until they follow through. A "You were right" or "I'm sorry I was wrong" when it's too late for you to survive is criminal!

I went to the hospital on multiple occasions because of bleeding. I was told I wasn't bleeding enough to die and sent home. Two years later I was diagnosed with late-stage colorectal cancer. I just finished radiation and intravenous chemotherapy. Now I have to have a fairly dramatic surgery. I'm pretty angry it took two years for a proper diagnosis.

Co-worker was diagnosed with Colon Cancer 3B his only symptom was a few days of unusual looking mucous diarrhea no pain at all. When the GI doc found it said it was blocking about 75% of his colon. If he had not gone in and doctors took him seriously, he would have died if he left it for another 6-12 months. He was age 40 when he was diagnosed the GI doc up until the colonoscopy kept telling him he was too young to have colon cancer. He was shocked to find colon cancer said it was unusual. He ended up finding another doctor who actually said it's lot more common now days and any GI doc who turns someone away from a colonoscopy that has some symptoms is going to miss people who have cancer. That was almost 5 years ago he got treated and is has a normal life today.

Thank you for sharing this info re: your journey. Advocacy is so key. Great job. I lost my mother to colon cancer in 1990. Had my 1st colonoscopy at 33 after my 1st child was born. Since then I've had 4 or 5. I did fight with the last one when they wanted to go out to 5 years. I am 56 now, the same age the mother died. I have 3 college age sons and tell them how important taking charge of your health. No one cares about your health the most except you! So many folks are getting colon cancer earlier? Best to you and continued good health.

Very interesting… just so u know, im a 38 year old man & was told by most doctors to see a psychologist. In my opinion, theres only a small percentage of doctors that are still curious or care enough to investigate past a few blood tests. The sad truth is if they thought i was a celebrity or abundantly rich, they would of tried harder. no accountability for the common person.

I was recently diagnosed with lynch syndrome and waiting to see GI after years of abdominal pain, bowel changes, & bleeding. My fear is that my concerns won’t be heard or they won’t understand lynch. Thank you so much for these videos, I really needed to see this one.

I am so sorry you had to fight to get what you needed. I'm glad you are doing well. Hugs.

Oh my heart hurts for you and all you have gone through. Good for you for advocating! It is SO hard to face a medical professional and stand your ground like that. I was born with a very common heart defect and it rarely causes any discernible issues, especially in early to mid-life. I started having crazy arrhythmias, super fast heart rate (180’s just sitting still,) getting very short of breath, and palpitations. I spent more than a year seeing cardiologists and more often than not I heard, “it’s probably just stress, you’re too young (I’m now 41) you’re a busy mom of 3, do you drink a lot of coffee and have you tried meditating?” I KNEW it was more than that. I FINALLY found a cardiologist who really listened and went the extra mile with extensive and invasive testing. And finally, I learned what is really happening to my heart…it is failing. In exactly 4 weeks from today I will be undergoing full on open heart surgery to replace two severely leaking valves. I was so angry at first, thinking about all of the doctors who blew me off. But now I’m just grateful I will have the chance to see my kids grow up. Stay strong, you are a warrior! 🖤

Exactly Amy, so many stories of "your too young" etc. Instead the professionals need to listen & stop down playing it. God bless you 💛 and thank you for sharing your story.

They told me my 14 year old daughter had anxiety and that’s why she was showing TORETTS like symptoms. Turns out her vertebrate that connects to the skull was out of place.

Good for you! You stuck up for yourself! You have to! I went through same thing! I had cancer too. You helped so many people sharing this!! Blessings to you!!!

Amy you are very well spoken and shared great information. As well, you have shown much grace to the various doctors.

What a lesson. Always listen to your body. It speaks. Sometimes it YELLS.

My little cousin died at 24 years old. She was overweight up until about age 20 she suddenly thinned down-we thought she was working out…she thought it was from exercise too. In January 2014, she was rushed to the hospital due to extreme abdominal pain. They thought her ovaries were the issue…opened her up and found cancer everywhere in her pelvic area…gave her 6 months-she lived 11 months 11-28-14. The doctors think she had cancer for years. Maybe even was born with it. Trust your instincts💙!

Same woth my Sister...she had colon cancer and the initial Doctor didnt think it was serious illness...afterwards she had a screening and it was advanced ....she passed away after a long treatment...very painful...breaks my heart to hear storys like yours....God Bless and prays for your recovery

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Too many women get blown off by physicians. I too am a cancer survivor. You are a survivor who has been through hell and back again. ❤️

Thank you for your story. My mother died of colon cancer in 1993 after a five year illness. I’ve been getting regular colonoscopies since then. There are 9 children in our family, and every one of us that got colonoscopies had pre-cancerous polyps.

Thank you sis....good information and video extremely helpful!

Glad she advocated for herself. Too many women are treated with psych and psych is a symptom of a physical or spiritual or environmental issue. Physical should be carefully looked at and taken seriously

You need to be your own advocate when it comes to dealing with healthcare . I was in horrible pain . Got misdiagnosed by ER's twice in different ER's . I got referred to a colorectal specialist . He took one look at the "hemorrhoid's" within seconds of just looking . He said it was rectal cancer . Your pain is real . Sometimes you need to fight the system . It was stage 3 , had radiation and chemo and I am cancer free 2 years later .

Thank you so very much for sharing your story!! I am in midst of GI testing to determine cancer or not. On my 3rd gastro doctor (others during Covid and dismissed all symptoms). My 3rd Colonosopy is in 10 days, but it's been 3 yrs since last one. Your message has given me strength 💪 to advocate for my health. Ty 💗

Thank you so much for this very powerful and informative video. Blessings to you on your healing journey ! 🌅🌅🌅

My best friend doing amazing so proud of her

❤❤❤ Thank you for teaching us. Take care.🙏🏻💕

I hope you feel better soon and my heart goes out to you and I'm sending healing prayers for you

Very interesting, thank you and wishing you the best of luck.

That is so brutal...I send hope to everyone who has to go through cancer....

Good for you girl!!❤

God bless you and your family. You are a beautiful person. Thank goodness you pushed for it. Stay blessed young lady 🙏 ❤

Thank you for the stories of colon cancer patients-I’m 28 and having a colonoscopy in a few weeks since I’ve had some drastic changes in my habits and pain. Hoping for IBD over cancer, but I like to be prepared for the worst

Such an inspiring woman. Thank you for sharing your story and your determination for self-advocacy. Life saving messages.

Always go with your gut!!! We know ourselves better than anyone... stand up for yourself and hope and pray it's nothing. ❤ xo

Same thing happened to me at age 37. It took me going to see a Jordanian GI doctor out of network that had just started practicing after emigrating here to give me a colonoscopy. He told me he’s been seeing it in younger people overseas for years & that doctors here need to start looking for it. This all happened in 2018 so hopefully it’s starting to change. Imo I think the driving environmental factor causing this is either PFAS and/or plastics. Bottled water is transported in hot trailers which releases microscopic pieces of plastic into the water.

You are an inspiration to all thank you for sharing this it has been very informative You are amazing !

Amen! Praying for you.

Apparently, a lot of doctors think that 99% of women’s problems are psychological. 🙄 It seems nothing’s changed. Even the word “hysterical” comes from the Greek “hystero” for “uterus” (think “hysterectomy”). Apparently, we’re mostly crazy hypochondriacs.

Thank you for this! I am in chronic pain, judt had a CT Scan with contrast. Now I need to push for a colonoscopy.

Ma'am you are very brave. Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you well. You sound like such a strong sensible person. Bless you.

My dad died from colon cancer at 63. After he died, his sister had a colonoscopy and it was discovered she had early stages of colon cancer. I then found out through obtaining death certificates that my dad’s mom died from colon cancer, as did her sister. I’m terrified now and know I need to have a colonoscopy.

Ughhh! It quite literally pisses me off that your doctor brushed you off, due to “anxiety”.😡😤 I suffered for years, I was told it was anxiety, it was all in my head, over and over and over again, so I quit complaining. On one normal routine pap exam, a young P.A. at my OB/GYN clinic did a panel of labs and sure enough, I had been feeling sick, because I was sick, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. When NO ONE LISTENED TO ME, because I was “too young”. You’re a rockstar! 🎉 I’m glad that he’s learned from you. No one deserves that, we know our bodies. ❤

My GP told me it was piles, he did the finger and glove test. As did you I got fed up and told him to send me for a Colonoscopy. I was Stage 3a.

If the doctors would have listened to you and not ignored you, you might have had 1st stage: cancer to be corrected and I am very sorry that you had to go through all that. You are a very smart and brave lady.

Excellent video....

Wish you a lot of health...

So many Doctors pas off symptoms; it’s your diet: your sleep; whatever. You always need to advocate for yourself and don’t take NO for an answer! They follow standard protocols and if bloodwork is good they immediately think great no problems. They don’t do enough screening , early enough or frequently all because of $. It’s sad. I would gladly pay however that may upset those that can’t afford to.I’m glad you got in in the week. I know of many waiting weeks for CT/MRI and surgery.

Blessings to you 🙏😊

You are a warrior! Thank you for your wise words. May the universe shine it’s light on you and yours

Nothing grinds my gears more than doctors dismissing women as anxious. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

I did 23 and me because I carry the colon cancer gene. At 46 I had 6 polyps removed. One was very big. I never would have pushed for the colonoscopy if it wasn't for the DNA test.

I had colon cancer stage 3 b - went through surgery and chemo but now for the one year follow up which should have been done in October 2022 - I can't get a CT scan scheduled. It's been 6 months on a wait list. I'm in British Columbia Canada , so I'm going go to a private clinic to have my annual CT scan done at a cost of +1500. Im tired of waiting with scan anxiety.

You are right. Women do know their bodies. I have a lung condition and I can tell in minutes if I am getting an infection.

What doctor would refuse to give a colonoscopy at patient request..and she had malaise,weight loss ,change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, ,family history of colon cancer…..sometimes I think these docs need to be investigated and replaced by a computer for diagnosing. So tired of this…my adrenal tumor was 6 cms till another doc found it.

I’m waiting to see if I have colon cancer and I’m 75…..had five polyps removed…I’m very scared but I know that God has me I had this done last Tuesday. God bless you and everyone here🙏🙏..I’m an old lady but I know what an eye opener for all of you young people🙏🙏..No family history

been dealing with chronic stomach issues and nausea for the last 12 years since I started college at the age of 19; have spent so much time being gaslit and ignored by doctors telling me I'm too young, nothing's wrong, this that and the other...I gave up a long time ago because I got tired of all the procedures, being poked and prodded and ignored..I stopped going entirely. I'm on state insurance and they only cover so much and have a really long waiting list..at this point, I just hope I live long enough to see my daughter grow up into the person she's meant to be...

Keep following your instincts.

My dad had a CT scan which showed nothing wrong, then had a colonoscopy 2 weeks later and a big tumor was found on his sigmoid colon. Yes c having a colonoscopy is very important.

I relate to you, after 3 years of feeling sick having symptoms and going from 3 different doctors having all sorts of bloodwork and nothing but you are told it's depression, hormonal changes, and yet my mammograms come out normal. My primary recommended compounded progesterone, well that just accelerated things as I had fibroid in my right ovary and was experiencing breast pain off and on for 2 years my ob/gyn recommended supplements for the pain. I told my primary that he should refer me to an oncologist prior to taking the progesterone and he said it was my hormones causing my symptoms. Well I was diagnosed with breast cancer that had metastasis to my uterus, had a total hysterectomy. Had low dose chemo plus took oral chemo as well. I did it in 2016 and 2019 but I decided I don't want anymore chemo or oral. I'm doing holistic changes by diet, juicing, doing mindset affirmations, rebounding, supplements and other things as well. Stay away from sugar it feeds the cancer. Knowledge is power educate yourself. Most importantly the power of prayer and Faith. 🙏

I've had 3 types of cancer in 13 years,. The breast cancer has come back twice and it looks like it's back again. That's 5 battles with cancer. Each time I was told there was nothing wrong with me. I had to fight to have basic tests done. When they removed my first cancer (thyroid cancer) the mass was the size of a racquetball. All along they kept telling me my numbers showed nothing. I finally had an allergy doctor tell me he felt it was thyroid cancer. It was because of him I finally got a biopsy. Same thing happened with the breast cancer the second time. I was being seen at what's considered to be the best hospital in the world. You must fight! If you know something is wrong don't give up. Get second and third opinions. Research, present your case. Don't let them put you off until it's too late.

I've lost 3 aunts and 2 female cousin to lynch-related cancer. And multiple female cousins who have had cancer and tested positive for lynch syndrome.

Your Brother from India. Hope you are feeling better now sister. Thanks for the video. I am also 47 and patient of IBS. Will go for colonoscopy very soon.

You are so Brave and are right about every piece of advice. I do not have Cancer. But I surely though I must havd had brain cancer or uterine cancer or something. My symptoms pretty much my whole life but became severe within the last 10yrs were...extreme fatigue, pain all over, muscles aches that take weeks to recover from activity, Dry eyes hardly no tears, dry mouth, bleeding gums, occasional burning & aching spine and stiffness, ocassional swollen joints/ tendons, random fevers with no other symptoms, constant swollen glands, reccurrent athsma, recurrent tonsilitis, heart palpitations, recurrent bladder infections and blood iurine that anibiotis couldn't help, and repeated vocal loss due to parylzed vocal chords. It was like comstant bouts of the flu with no flu symptoms. Oh you know they called the Pschy team for me the many times I went to ER Cause they just knew I had to be kray kray....😂🤣 In 2017 I fainted while cooking breakfast I went into the hospital and was there 4½ days due organs so inflammed they were shutting down and body fighting but no labs showed anything so they began running test for autoimmune, ever was 104. With no response to tylenol. Diagnosis is Sjögrens Syndrome prestening unusually and affect the nerves and connective tissue causing neuropathy, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, swollen glands and all over inflammation sometimes with organ imvolvement and fatigue. In addition to that I have intercranial hypertension. Turns out I'm not krazy at all 😂

Shame on the medical professionals for dropping the ball BIG TIME. If I were a doctor, the very first thing I would check for would be cancer. This is inexcusable.

I think women are always told it’s just our feelings and in our head. My grandmother died at 44 and I never met her. I want to have one but while some insurance companies say family history says 35, others ignore family history and tell you to wait until 45 (in other words after my grandmother died).

My mom and grandma died from colon cancer and people are getting this at such a much younger age so please get checked and do not let your dr give you the run around!

Oh my god. I'm so lucky I got my colonoscopy (I'm 35) after bleeding. Turns out it was mild proctitis, treatable, and I'm doing much better! I attribute some of my fast care to my asshole attitude. After having pain he dismissed in the past as anxiety (ended up hospitalized with meningitis), I have learned to be kind but pushy.

Sorry this happened to you. I hope you will invitecjesus as your savior. Hope the best for you and healing and many years.

I just found out. My mental health definitely got in the way. I knew something was wrong. Didn't know it would be cancer. Should have cause the last few years my dad has been in to get precancerous polyps removed & had a bowel resection early this year. Bleeding was always dismissed for hemorrhoids. The doctor talked to my husband & said he would call later in the day. That was the 27th & this is now Halloween. I've got so many questions & concerns. I'm 47, scared & alone.

Stay 💪 sis

I did a Cologuard fecal test months ago that came back positive for Colorectal Cancer. I’ve also had pain, bleeding, etc for six months. Unfortunately, I have been refused a Colonoscopy, and I’m 63 years old.

I’m terrified to go to the doctor again because they just roll their eyes and say it’s just your anxiety. My poor stomach is so sore after eight months and I want a second opinion but that is like getting a winning lottery ticket. I just live with it because I don’t want them to label me anxious any more.

It’s so weird. The patients who _don’t want_ a dang colonoscopy, they pressure us to get one. The patients who _need_ a colonoscopy can’t get one.

I just turned 38 and was having a drama with hemroids. After a couple of years and saw my gp and ask for a referral to a coloreactal surgeon. He went to do the surgery and found 5 polyps so I woke up to him telling me he didn't do the surgery and he wants to do a full colonoscopy to check if there's more. Afew day later I went back in and he found 16 pre cancerous polyps. He told me I definetly would have got cancer from these in my 40s if they didn't get removed. Weather that's 100% true or not I'm not sure. But I'm still so glad there gone. Have to get one every 1 to 2 years now

I got a colonoscopy in November because was suffering weird symptoms. I’m 26 so some would think that my doctor was hesitant about a colonoscopy since I’m young. My doctor is Asian (don’t know if this matters) but he quickly wanted me to get a colonoscopy as he explained it’s the absolute best way to diagnose something by finding or excluding possibilities. Everything came back fine and am now being treated for a deep anal fissure.

A fellow lynch syndrome survivor here, same stage as you also . 7 years next month NED ..

Here (Norway) you can get a colonoscopy at a private clinic for 5-600 $. Its good to remember that it is a procedure with a certain risk. I wanted my doc to put me on the list for one but he did not think I had enough symptoms, and he was right. I had a sluggish digestion from poor hydration and irregular sleep.

There seems to be alot of inadequate Dr's these days. So many with cancer diagnosis are told basically that it's all in their head. There are so many cases of it on YT.

Thank you for sharing 🇦🇺🍀🙏🌈

I have lynch too and have been feeling yucky for like 2 years. I am hoping it's not something but the doctors l see, seem to all gaslight me and tell me that its all depression and anxiety or me being overweight. I weigh 219 pounds and have always been heavier. I need help and its starting to weigh on me. 😢