Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer: 10 Real Stories

10 stories match colorectal cancer and genetic testing. 8 of them mention surveillance.

Amber, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Amber's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Amber Madden, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Comprehensive hereditary cancer genetic testing negative; tumor biomarkers not reported

Metastatic Site: Liver

Stage III colon cancer upstaged to Stage IV after liver metastasis was found; after colectomy, chemotherapy, liver surgery, and more chemotherapy, CT scans in May, August, and November 2025 showed no evidence of active cancer.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Jackie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Jackie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jackie, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome

Metastatic Site: Not reported

Jackie’s Stage IIIB rectal cancer later recurred as Stage IV/metastatic disease, but early immunotherapy response was strong, with no visible tumor on MD Anderson sigmoid scope about 6 weeks after starting treatment.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
Tommy, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Tommy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Tommy Allen, Male, 50s | Stage III

Biomarkers: MSI-high; Lynch syndrome

As of November 2025, Tommy was cancer-free 5 years after pembrolizumab, ileostomy, Whipple procedure, partial colectomy, and ileostomy closure for Stage III MSI-high colon cancer with Lynch syndrome.

MD Anderson
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Savannah, who was diagnosed with Stage II Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage II Colorectal Cancer: Savannah's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Savannah Kaspar, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome genetic testing negative

As of March 2024, Savannah had completed partial colectomy and 4 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage II sigmoid colon cancer and had entered surveillance with bloodwork every 3 months.

MD Anderson
OutcomeSurvivorship / Surveillance
Shannon, who was diagnosed with Stage II Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage II MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Shannon's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Shannon, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: MSI-H; Lynch syndrome; MLH1 mutation

As of October 2023, Shannon had no recurrence described while approaching year 5 after Stage IIA colon cancer surgery and continued intensive Lynch syndrome surveillance.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Amanda, who was diagnosed with Stage II Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage II Colorectal Cancer: Amanda's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Amanda, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: Genetic mutations involving colon, kidney, and skin cancer risk were reported; specific genes were not named

As of May 2023, Amanda had completed surgery and chemotherapy for Stage IIA sigmoid colon cancer and was in close surveillance, with CT scans every 6 months, bloodwork every 3 months, colonoscopy follow-up, and normal cancer-marker bloodwork.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Amy, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Amy's Patient Story

Patient Info: Amy Hart, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome; tumor described as Lynch-related but not MSI-high

As of March 2023, Amy’s story described Stage IIIB colorectal/rectal cancer diagnosis, Lynch syndrome confirmation, rapid start of daily radiation, and major surgery planning; no completed-treatment, recurrence, NED, or cancer-free status was stated.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
JJ, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

I was in Disbelief When I got Colon Cancer

Patient Info: JJ Singleton, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome

Metastatic Site: Abdominal wall; lymph nodes

After surgery and 12 rounds of FOLFOX, JJ had a clean scan and colonoscopy, but about 6 weeks later cancer recurred outside the colon with spread to the abdominal wall and lymph nodes.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Almudena, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Almudena's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Almudena, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Peritoneum

As of May 2022, Almudena was cancer-free after surgery and 12 chemotherapy sessions, had been medically cleared as cured after 6 years, and continued genetics follow-up because her case was unusual for her age.

MatchTrial Historias Reales
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Shannon, who was diagnosed with Stage II Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Cancer Survivor Story: Colon Cancer (Lynch Syndrome)

Patient Info: Shannon, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome; MSI-high / dMMR

As of May 2020, Shannon was considered cancer-free after surgery-only treatment for Stage IIA MSI-high/Lynch-associated colon cancer and remained on strict Lynch syndrome surveillance.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED