Hearing Colon Cancer Symptoms Dismissed, Missouri Woman Urges Awareness
By Emily Joshu – Health Reporter
Last Updated: 12:57, 03 Feb 2024
A Missouri woman, Jill MacDonald, has a powerful message for young and healthy individuals: listen to your body. MacDonald, now 46, has been fighting stage four colon cancer for nine years, and her story brings attention to the dismissal of her symptoms by doctors as mere exhaustion and hemorrhoids.
A Life-changing Diagnosis
Jill MacDonald, a retired molecular biologist now aged 47, led a sporty and active lifestyle, while rigorously maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet. Little did she expect that her symptoms, initially slight but persistent, would lead to stage four colon cancer. Despite the fact that unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute to approximately half of colon cancer cases, Jill’s active lifestyle could not protect her from this devastating disease.
An Uphill Battle
Since her diagnosis, Jill MacDonald has undergone numerous operations and faced grueling bouts of chemotherapy. Though staying hopeful, Jill recognizes the limited options available to her. As she expressed, “It’s not unlikely that the cancer will kill me, but I will probably pass away from liver failure. It’s because all of these treatments are just toxic to the liver. I’ve had to do radiation everywhere. They’ve done surgeries and whatnot.”
A Young Cancer Epidemic
Jill’s battle with colon cancer comes at a time when colorectal cancer rates in young people are reaching record highs. Shockingly, data from the American Cancer Society predicts that colorectal cancer will become the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50 by the end of the decade. Cases of colon cancer have already risen by around 10 percent in the past four years.
Dismissed Symptoms and Delayed Diagnosis
Jill MacDonald emphasizes the importance of being attentive to unusual symptoms and pursuing a diagnosis. In her case, the road to diagnosis was filled with disbelief and dismissal by multiple doctors. It was only after a physician’s assistant, whose mother-in-law had been diagnosed with cancer, became involved that action was taken to determine the cause of Jill’s symptoms.
Unraveling the Causes
Experts are struggling to pinpoint the exact cause of the rise in colorectal cancer cases. However, common factors being examined include unhealthy diets, excess alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, prolonged antibiotic use, and even exposure to certain fungi. Recent studies have linked red meat and sugar consumption to an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
A Beacon of Hope
Jill MacDonald’s journey, though incredibly challenging and painful, offers a source of inspiration and hope for other young cancer patients. She has managed to withstand her treatments remarkably well and continues to maintain a positive attitude. In an effort to support and guide others, she has made herself available as a resource, stating, “If there are new patients, or old patients, or stage one, stage two, stage three, stage four, I don’t really care, if they need just to talk to somebody or to find out what to expect, I leave my number and contact information for them if I can be a resource for them in any way.”
