Survivor Story - Amanda Houston

At the age of 34 I was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer.

I had been having symptoms on and off for several years; symptoms that included: blood in stool, fatigue, gas, bloating and constipation. I informed my doctor about 2 years prior to my diagnosis and was dismissed as having hemorrhoids but to return to the doctor if it didn’t get better.

My symptoms didn’t get better but didn’t really get any worse so I ignored them, until I couldn't anymore. My symptoms progressively got worse and I knew I needed to have a colonoscopy to try to understand why I was feeling so ill.  I returned to the doctor and requested to have a colonoscopy. At the time of my colonoscopy it was discovered I had a tumor in my colon.

I underwent a successful surgery and doctors were able to remove all the cancer with just one surgery! I was lucky, my colon cancer was found in the early treatable and curable stages. Because of my young age doctors wanted to understand my family history to try to understand why I was diagnosed so young. At the time I had no family history of colon or rectal cancers. I then discovered my mother, who was 60, had never had a colorectal cancer screening.

She immediately went in for a colonoscopy (a procedure that should have been performed many years earlier) and she too was found to have a tumor in her colon. Just like that my family went from no colorectal cancer in the family to 2 of us being diagnosed within 3 months. My mom’s cancer was found in late stage, she had to undergo multiple surgeries and chemotherapies but am happy to say that today she remains disease free! 

It was recommended for our family to seek genetic testing, which we did. It was discovered that we carry a gene mutation called Lynch Syndrome. People with Lynch Syndrome carry an increased risk for certain cancers. Unfortunately, an estimated 95% of Lynch syndrome cases are undiagnosed. Fortunately because of my cancer diagnosis we discovered this mutation in my family and since have been able to educate and test several extended family members. Testing that has prevented them from developing colorectal cancer.

Wait, did I just say prevent colorectal cancer?

Yes I did! Did you know that colorectal cancer starts with polyps (or growths) in your colon? With a screening colonoscopy doctors can discover these growths and remove them before they grow into cancer! I want to use my experience to educate and inform others of the importance of screening.

Also for people to know that colorectal cancer can happen at any age and in fact is on the rise in younger adults. So please be aware of your body and the symptoms of colorectal cancer and advocate for yourself at the doctor's office to get symptoms investigated!