Create your own BE SEEN badge
Your story has the power to save lives.
Simply choose a photo, create your badge with this link and update your profile picture across your social media networks.
Meet Marisa's sister: Natalie
"I pushed through the couple of uncomfortable hours of a prep and underwent a colonoscopy. Little did I know, this was likely saving my life. Turns out, I did have rectal polyps as well which pathology proved to be precancerous. It would have been another 9 years before I would have been eligible for a routine colonoscopy. My sister, and everything she went through, saved my life. So if you have a family history of polyps, colorectal cancer or even one of the symptoms and a colonoscopy is scaring you, I ask…do you want to uncomfortable for a few hours now or do you want to undergo months of uncomfortable treatments later?"
-Dr. Natalie Greisl, Clinical Oncology Pharmacist
David's Story
David Thau is a colon cancer survivor and health and wellness advocate. He was diagnosed with Stage 3C colon cancer in 2019 at just 34 years old, despite maintaining an active lifestyle and nutritious diet from his time as a high school athlete. David found himself becoming winded after walking up a single flight of stairs. As symptoms persisted, he saw a primary care doctor, cardiologist, and neurologist, who all ran medical tests for him, still unable to diagnose the issue. David finally had a CT scan (the last test he had) which revealed a baseball-sized tumor. David is on a mission to make sure more individuals know the dangers of colorectal cancer, which is on the rise for young people. Colon cancer diagnoses in those aged 20-34 is expected to grow by 90 percent from 2010 to 2030, while rectal cancer diagnoses in that age group is expected to increase by 124 percent, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. David discusses this issue more in-depth in his most recent ABC News interview, which you can find HERE.
Know The Symptoms
"Mine were fatigue, stomach pain, blood in stool, anemia, vomiting" all before his colon cancer diagnosis after working with several doctors to figure out why.
Be Your Own Advocate
"Research is ongoing to determine what is causing the uptick but we do know NOW that screening works as a preventative measure. If you have symptoms ensure that you get tested."
Could this be you?
Symptomatic people in their 20s, 30s, 40s
If you have any of the symptoms, speak up and don't give up until your doctor gets to the root cause. Easy non-invasive tests require a sample of your poop to determine if you require further treatment, like Cologuard or annual FIT. While a colonoscopy is the gold standard, the tests are better than doing nothing at all.
It could save your life.
All people age 45+
Colonoscopies are the gold standard for colorectal cancer prevention. and early detection. It is now the standard of care covered by medical insurance beginning at age 45. Schedule your colonoscopy with your primary care doctor. Ensure your loved ones are also up to date on their regular screening.
Your life depends on it.