Mum’s colon cancer diagnosis delayed because it was too young for colonoscopy

A mother of two received a delayed cancer diagnosis after being told that she was too young for a colonoscopy.

Heather Candrilli from the state of Island, New York, had suffered from bloating and abdominal pain for several years but attributed to her symptoms to her diet or effects of childbirth.

“The terrible thing about this is when you are about that age, you are busy raising a family, and the last thing you will think about is yourself,” told her husband Cory Candrilli Si live.

The 36-year-old was tested for Celiaki and Crohn’s disease, but she could not undergo a colonoscopy directly because she was considered too young; The recommended age for screening is 45. It wasn’t until later – after an ultrasound discovered something on her liver – that the doctors had undergone a colonoscopy.

During the procedure, doctors discovered a tumor, which had already begun to spread through her body.

“As soon as they ordered the colonoscopy, they saw the tumor there on her colon,” Cory said.

Heather was ultimately diagnosed with colon cancer in step 4 in May 2024.

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in the world, after lung and breast cancer. According to American Cancer SocietyThe disease is more common when aging – but there has been a steady rise in frequencies of colorectal cancer Among young people.

However, the law of New Jersey, where the couple now lives, follows recommendations from the US working group for preventive services that require insurance protection for preventative colorectal views for patients 45 and older.

“You can’t get it. It’s incredible,” Cory said about the colonoscopy. “It’s really incredible. These are your teachers, your parents, people who raise your children. These are our future. ”

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After receiving its delayed diagnosis, Heather “met with an aggressive treatment plan.

Cory told the outlet that his wife underwent surgery to remove some of her colon. Over the past year, she has also had 20 rounds of chemotherapy, which successfully shrinks her lesions.

“As terrible as it is, the treatments have really worked,” shared Cory. “Because it works so well, they continue to give it to her. It’s really, really to do fantastic work.”

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Heather is now working on the Transplantation team at the New York University Langone Health and is waiting for a potential sensor for a liver transplant. Cory – A disabled American army veteran – said his wife is a natural caretaker and praised her for the positive spirit she held during her difficult journey.

“She’s really amazing,” he said of Heather, who has done with a number of side effects from her treatment. “I don’t understand exactly what she is going through, but I understand pain. I understand heights and lowness.”

In the midst of her ongoing recovery, one Gofundme The account was created on Heather’s behalf by her aunt, Mary Rosner. The page has since collected over $ 127K, including a $ 10,000 donation from Colin Farrell.

“Heather is the strongest person I know, and she is determined to fight and beat this cancer,” Rosner said.