Colon Cancer Survivor Encourages Colonoscopies
November 10, 2022
Andrea Bauer was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer when she was only 35 years old.
Looking back, Andrea now realizes she likely had years of symptoms. But these warning signs were misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids and other minor gastrointestinal issues by previous care providers. They were most likely misdiagnosed because Andrea was young and had no prior history of colorectal cancer in her family.
In 2015, though, Andrea’s trip to the ER for a kidney stone eventually revealed the truth. A CT scan taken to identify the location of the kidney stone also picked up abnormalities in Andrea’s colon. A follow-up colonoscopy confirmed the diagnosis: Andrea had colorectal cancer.
“When they performed the colonoscopy, they found the tumor and believed it was very small,” Andrea says. “But when I made it into surgery to remove it, the surgeons discovered that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes as well—making it Stage 3 cancer."
The Importance of Early Detection
Andrea is now cancer free, thanks to the removal of ten inches of her colon and more than twenty lymph nodes. She receives routine colonoscopies to help prevent a cancer recurrence.
Dipen C. Maun, MD, a Franciscan Heath colon and rectal surgeon, performed Andrea’s surgical cancer treatment and now oversees her colonoscopy follow-ups.“Dr. Maun is absolutely fabulous,” Andrea says. “He just performed my recent colonoscopy and found and removed two precancerous polyps. It feels great knowing I’m in such good hands and that I can trust my care team.”
Now, Andrea routinely shares her story of survival with others—and she encourages everyone, particularly anyone who is 45 or older, to get a colonoscopy.
Raising awareness within this demographic is key since researchers have predicted colorectal cancer will become the leading cancer-related cause of death for people between the ages of 20 and 49 by 2030.
“The screening age for colonoscopies has been lowered to 45. I highly suggest that people get screened. Early detection is so important,” Andrea says. “The best way to catch colorectal cancer is through a colonoscopy,” she adds. “It’s really the gold standard since it can catch precancerous polyps before they turn cancerous.”
For those who have been hesitant to get screened due to the preparation required for a colonoscopy, Andrea has a hard-won truth to share: “Do not put off getting your colonoscopy,” she says. “I know from experience that the colonoscopy prep is far easier than undergoing cancer treatment.”
If you are 45 or older, make an appointment today for a colonoscopy. It’s the best way to screen for and even prevent colorectal cancer since doctors can remove precancerous polyps during the procedure—before they develop into cancer.
