Colorectal Cancer

As a psychologist dedicated to helping people cope with disasters, Jamie D. Aten knew the damage “survivor’s guilt” can do. As a stage IV colon cancer survivor, he says, “I wasn’t prepared for it to hit me personally.”

When treatment for advanced colon cancer forced Cindy Simpson Wise to slow her busy pace, she found comfort in surrounding herself with nature’s beauty and in focusing on hope and joy.

When Melissa Marshall went in for a hip surgery, which she attributed to her being a performer and her age, she discovered she had rectal cancer. Currently in remission and cancer-free, Melissa has launched the No You Cant’cer Foundation and written a song with the same title about her cancer journey.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! Flip through this slideshow featuring the top risk factors for colorectal cancer, symptoms to look out for, and more. Conquer cancer with knowledge.

Melissa Marshall aims to correct common misconceptions people have about colorectal cancer and ostomy bags and hopes to empower other colorectal cancer survivors to overcome any shame they may feel.

Singer and songwriter Melissa Marshall was 51 when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in September 2013. After a lengthy battle Melissa was cured, and began a crusade of inspiration and education.

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer can also be referred to separately as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it starts. Colon cancer and rectal cancer have many features in common.

In 2013, Earl Shellner was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. What followed was a year of aggressive treatment that included surgical removal of his colon, large intestine, rectum, and anus. He began his first round of chemotherapy, followed by 25 sessions of radiation and, finally, his last round of chemotherapy.