Colorectal Cancer: Julie's Patient Story
This colorectal cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Treatment
- surgery and chemotherapy
Treatment course, step by step
- A 2022 colonoscopy found a 4 cm colon tumor.
- Julie underwent surgery and then completed 12 rounds of chemotherapy.
What happened, in summary
Julie Goodrich turned 50 in 2020, when many elective procedures were disrupted. Her primary care clinician continued reminding her to schedule a colonoscopy, and in 2022 he insisted that she arrange her first screening.
Julie felt well and had no pain, blood in her stool, or changes in bowel habits. The colonoscopy nevertheless found a 4 cm tumor. She underwent surgery and then completed 12 rounds of chemotherapy.
At the time of her story, Julie was approaching 2 years since surgery and described herself as doing well. Her experience made screening a central part of her advocacy. She emphasized the importance of allowing people enough time away from work to complete recommended colorectal cancer screening, especially because her own cancer had been found without warning symptoms.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Fight Colorectal Cancer. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer