Featured By
Marisa's Story
My story does not need to become yours.
Shit got real, fast. There was blood on the toilet paper after I wiped my butt and symptoms that grew pervasively more concerning. It was clear things were not normal.
For the five years prior, I voiced my symptoms to every medical professional in my life. Dismissed as something that came with giving birth, striving for perfection and being overreactive. Told the the hemorrhoids I had were "cute" and that there was nothing to worry about, I remained unheard. As blood became brighter and more prevalent, I knew I needed to be seen. And then I was diagnosed with Stage 3b Rectal Cancer. My butthole was (literally) trying to murder me. It rocked me to the core and the real kicker -- it never had to happen.
Colorectal cancers are preventable with early detection -- butt cancer is entirely avoidable.
Throughout my cancer battle, it was hard to balance on the tight-rope carrying a full time job and raising three young boys. We learned a whole lot as a family about who we are, what we stand for and ways to make life well-lived. A harsh reality for all of us in our 20s, 30s and 40s is there is a skyrocketing uptick of younger people like me with colorectal cancer threatening our longevity, disproportionately impacting in healthy people, women and people of color.
My story is becoming all too common and many of us don't live to tell about it. Being fortunate enough to complete the aggressive treatment that left me as a cancer survivor today, it’s clear that this was completely avoidable with earlier intervention. If I had just been seen. Taken seriously. Earlier. I was not crazy, I was right and the system was broken around me.
This is why we started The BE SEEN Foundation. We are relentless and driven to eradicate death by colorectal cancer.
“Speak Up” Symptoms
Bloody Poop
Stomach Pain
Stomach Pain
Blood in the toilet when you poop? Poop has blood in it?
Not normal.
Stomach Pain
Stomach Pain
Stomach Pain
Stomach pain, vomiting, foul gas and digestive issues?
Trust your gut.
Anemia
Stomach Pain
Gotta Go
Iron deficiency, anemia or fatigue? You shouldn't feel this way after a full night of rest.
Gotta Go
Stomach Pain
Gotta Go
Urgency to poop, diarrhea and size of poop getting smaller and smaller. Something is off.
Do you know if you need to be seen?
You know your body best. There's much to keep up for your health and wellbeing so we cut to the chase. Look around and understand why it's important to trust your gut when something feels off.