3 minute read
GET SCREENED
Maplesville resident shares colorectal cancer journey
STORY BY MALLORY HILL, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
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31Wellness S andy Pearce, like so many others, was quite shocked upon hearing the words “you have cancer” in December 2012.
“I was feeling so good,” said Sandy. “I never once felt bad, so I was shocked.” At the age of 54, Sandy was experiencing some sporadic bleeding but didn’t think it was anything to be concerned of at the time. At her annual checkup, she mentioned the symptom to her physician who recommended getting a colonoscopy just to be certain it was not anything serious. While in the waiting room, her husband Bill overheard a nurse’s conversation.
“I’ve got to tell a family, a patient who is otherwise healthy as a horse, that she has cancer.”
He knew immediately that she was speaking of his wife.
Immediately following diagnosis, Sandy began chemotherapy and radiation in attempts to shrink the tumor prior to surgery. Her doctor prescribed the chemotherapy drug Fluorouracil (5FU), a commonly-used drug to treat colon cancer, which was synthesized by longtime American Cancer Society research grantee Charles Heidelberger, PhD, in 1958. Sandy’s tumor
“Have A Colonoscopy… Don’t Wait Until You Have Problems. I wish there was as much awareness for colorectal cancer as breast cancer. Colon cancer can be prevented.” Sandy Pearce responded well to the treatment, and her doctors were amazed that it was almost gone.
In April 2013, Sandy underwent surgery to remove what remained of the tumor. In August, she once again began chemotherapy and completed her treatment in November.
“The hardest part of my entire journey was having to tell my children,” expressed Sandy. “I was blessed with so many people to care for me. I received cards from family members, friends, and even strangers.”
A third-grade teacher at Maplesville Elementary, Sandy found additional support in her students, who presented her with a living locket to encourage her and remind her how much they love and care for her.
Seven years after her diag-
nosis, Sandy is doing well and continues to see her oncologist twice a year for blood work and undergoes routine colonoscopies. She never hesitates to share her cancer journey with others because she knows that she can help lead someone to a lifesaving procedure.
“There is such a stigma surrounding colonoscopies,” she explained. “They aren’t as bad as people think they are. If a polyp is found during a colonoscopy, it’s removed. Removing the polyp prevents colon cancer.”
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Sandy is sharing her cancer journey in collaboration with the American Cancer Society’s upcoming Go Blue Day on March 6. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. when men and women are combined, but it doesn’t have to be. When adults get screened for colorectal cancer, it can be detected early when treatment is most likely to be successful, and in many cases, it can be prevented altogether.
About 1 in 3 adults ages 50 and older are not getting tested as recommended by the American Cancer Society. Compounding the problem is that there is an alarming new trend in which cases of colorectal cancer are rising in adults under 50.
“I wish I could walk around wearing a sign that reads ‘HAVE A COLONOSCOPY… DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE PROBLEMS’,” added Sandy. “I wish there was as much awareness for colorectal cancer as breast cancer. Colon cancer can be prevented.”
Sandy and the American Cancer Society are asking everyone to participate in Go Blue Day on March 6 by wearing blue and sharing your photos on social media using the hashtags #AlabamaGoBlueDay and #AttackingCancer. For more information about colorectal cancer, please visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.
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The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of nearly 2 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and www.cancer.org/al.
