In 2015, I interviewed Danielle Ripley-Burgess. Danielle is a three time colorectal cancer (CRC) survivor. Her first diagnosis occurred in 2001 at the age of 17. That diagnosis: stage III colorectal cancer—required surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.[1] Her most recent cancer diagnosis occurred in April of 2023. [2]
Eventually, Danielle learned that she had Lynch Syndrome, a genetic disorder which predisposes men and women to colorectal, stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, urinary tract, brain, and skin cancers. Women are also at higher risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Those with Lynch Syndrome have problems with the genes that are involved in DNA replication. As part of the normal process of DNA copying itself during cell division, errors can occur. We have genes whose sole purpose is repairing these errors made during the copying process. Those people who have Lynch Syndrome lack these genes or they are faulty. Without these genes, copying errors stay in the cells. An accumulation of such errors can lead to cancers. [3]
Danielle has been diagnosed twice more times with CRC, each time at Stage 1. Because of these recurrences, she opted for a complete removal of her colon and rectum in order to reduce the risk of more colorectal cancers. [2]
Now, Vice President of Disease Awareness for Fight Colorectal Cancer and a mom of two children, Danielle shares her remarkable experience as a cancer survivor and continues to advocate and bring awareness to the importance of CRC screenings, especially in younger people. Her message and story is clear: get screened. [4]
Colorectal Cancer Screening Guideline Changed in 2021
In 2021, new guidelines set the age for screening people for CRC at 45. [5]
This is because CRC is on the rise in younger populations. According to a post on MD Anderson’s website, “about 20% of colorectal cancer patients under age 50 have an inherited genetic mutation that causes their cancer.” [6] For the other 80%, no one knows. But CRC has become the third leading cause of cancer death for people under 50. That is why there is a strong need for people to understand the rising incidence of early onset CRC. [7]
Warning Signs
Over all age groups, CRC is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the US. [8] Here are some warning signs for CRC:
- Blood in your excrement (poop)
- Change in the amount of time between pooping, more frequent
- A gradual decrease in the size of the poop
- Increasing abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and shortness of breath
- Bloating[4]
These are symptoms of CRC when it is low in the bowel. Screening with a colonoscopy will find CRC higher in the large intestines.
I If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. If they ignore your concerns, get a second opinion and keep going until you get screened.
References
[1] Hoffman, KD. Too Young for Colon Cancer? Medivizor, 2025. https://medivizor.com/blog/2015/03/19/young-colorectal-cancer/
[2] Ripley-Burgess D. 3rd Cancer’s a Charm?. DRG Blog. 2023. https://www.danielleripleyburgess.com/3rd-cancers-a-charm/
[3] Mayo Clinic. Lynch Syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lynch-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20374714
[4] Fight Colorectal Cancer https://fightcolorectalcancer.org
[5] Mehta SJ, Morris AM, Kupfer SS. Colorectal Cancer Screening Starting at Age 45 Years-Ensuring Benefits Are Realized by All. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 May 3;4(5):e2112593. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.12593. PMID: 34003278; PMCID: PMC8285001.
[6]You YN, Colon cancer in young adults: What you need to know. MD Anderson. 2024. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/why-are-more-young-adults-getting-colorectal-cancer-what-to-know.h00-159385890.html
[7]Kim BJ, Hanna MH. Colorectal cancer in young adults. J Surg Oncol. 2023;127:1247–1251. DOI: 10.1002/jso.27320.
[8] Siegel RL , Giaquinto AN , Jemal A . Cancer statistics, 2024. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024; 74(1): 12-49. doi:10.3322/caac.21820
Feature Image Faces Stock photos by Vecteezy
