Trust Your Gut When It Comes to Your Colon October 1, 2024 “Just because you don’t have a family history of colon cancer, it doesn’t mean you are in the clear,” said Holli Howard-Carpenter of Monmouth. It was spring of 2021 when the then 42-year-old college basketball coach started having stomach discomfort. First, she thought a change in diet and exercise would help. Symptoms improved but the issues returned. Several months later, she saw her primary care doctor who encouraged her to drink more water, eat more fiber and get physical therapy on her back. At a follow-up visit she was instructed to take a daily laxative and get a pelvic ultrasound. By February 2022 the pain was unbearable. A friend recommended she go to the Emergency Department of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Her Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment After several tests, an ED doctor informed Howard-Carpenter that she had metastatic stage 4 colorectal cancer. She immediately started chemotherapy. “More and more younger patients are being diagnosed with colon cancer, with an even greater rise with women,” said Robert Davis, MD, with Samaritan Hematology & Oncology. Three months after the emergency visit, Howard-Carpenter had surgery to remove one tumor. “It was at this time the surgeon discovered the cancer had spread to my peritoneum, which unfortunately has a poor prognosis,” said Howard-Carpenter. The peritoneum is a membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen and many organs. “In younger patients, this type of cancer tends to be aggressive,” Dr. Davis said. Howard-Carpenter continued with chemotherapy, followed by an additional surgery and more chemotherapy. “I was discharged seven days after surgery, left with a nice scar and an ileostomy bag but had no evidence of the disease,” she said. An ileostomy bag is worn on the outside of the body to collect stool and allow the colon to heal. In December 2023 while Howard-Carpenter was having her ileostomy reversed, the surgeons found the cancer had returned in her colon. Grit & Determination Fuels Courage Now, more than two years after her initial diagnosis, Howard-Carpenter is undergoing another round of chemotherapy. She said she has adopted the Finnish motto of sisu for her battle with colon cancer. The phrase can be translated as stoic determination, grit and sustained courage. Looking back, Howard-Carpenter wishes she had been a better self-advocate when early symptoms started. “Sometimes you just have to trust your gut,” said Howard-Carpenter. “Even when it seems difficult to have that conversation with your care team, never be afraid to speak up — you know your body best.” People at average risk of colorectal cancer should start regular screening at age 45. Contact your provider to discuss your risks and appropriate screening options.
