From the exact moment I was born, doctors, nurses, and family were already counting me out. Devastated by a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF), my later diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer in July 2021 wasn’t supposed to be a possibility.
I wasn’t supposed to make it past my high school graduation, so honestly, I never thought something like this was possible.
I was so hyper-focused on beating CF, the idea that something else could threaten my life never crossed my mind. You think of cancer and most people picture someone older. Well, I wasn’t ever supposed to get older.
A study released in April of 2020 by the University of Minnesota stated that by age 40 over half of the CF population will have developed adenomas (polyps); and, of these, half were considered aggressive advanced adenomas.
At first, I started thinking “Why me” again. But after looking into the statistics more, it’s honestly not that rare. Colon cancer can be one of the most responsive cancers to treatment if caught early enough.
As a CF patient, my odds of developing colon cancer are significantly higher due to the defective protein that causes CF. At the very least, CF patients should be required to have earlier screenings.
Younger people are needlessly being diagnosed at later stages because we’re not getting screened early enough. A report earlier this year contested that colon cancer is a near epidemic amongst younger people and projected it will be the leading cause of death for 20-50 year olds after 2030.
Millennials have a higher rate of colon cancer than the previous generation Gen X. No definitive studies have concluded the cause of this phenomenon, but earlier screenings could provide more effective treatment options for each patient.
We know who will push back on the need to cover these screenings, but should we really let money be the reason people suffer? Are we going to have the courage make lifesaving changes?
In response to an increase in cases of colon cancer in young people, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force has moved the recommended screening time for colon cancer from 50 to 45, but this is still too high.
My nonprofit Bucks County CF Alliance pledged to educate and increase awareness among the general public about the need to get screened earlier than 40. To date, we’ve raised over $15,000 that will go towards this program to raise awareness in our community.
I’m asking all the residents of Middletown and Bucks County to not be too late. Get screened early and make sure if you’re at high risk, to talk to your doctor. It could save your life. It could save a family member’s life. Put yours and your family’s health first.
Anna Payne is a township supervisor in Middletown, Bucks County.
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