Don’t Delay - Survivor Spotlight

After her colorecteal cancer diagnosis, Marlene Patterson urges others to get screened

Marlene Patterson was just 49 years old when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. As a person under the age of 50 with a colorectal cancer diagnosis, she is unfortunately part of a larger trend. What was once widely considered an innocuous threat to young people has become much more prevalent and concerning. According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of colorectal cancer has more than doubled among adults younger than 50 since the 1990s. This year alone, roughly 18,000 people under the age of 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In this interview with PE GI Journal, Marlene shares her journey and the advice she has for others.

Kelly McCormick (KM): When and how did you discover you had colon cancer? KM: How has receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic affected you?

MP: It has been very hard to have no one with me as a second set of ears and as a support through all the visits, hospitalizations, and treatments. Even at my home I couldn’t have visitors. It was isolating and depressing when I was trying hard to stay positive.

KM: Who or what have you leaned on for support throughout your journey?

MP: Always faith first. My faith has led me to the kindest, most caring, compassionate, and thoughtful people. I have been very blessed with the support I have.

Marlene Patterson (MP): I learned I had colon cancer KM: What would you want patients skeptical of after having a colonoscopy in May of 2019. I had been getting screened for colon cancer to know? experiencing pain from, what I thought, were hemorrhoids and this feeling that I didn’t quite empty when I had a bowel MP: In most of the stories I’ve heard firsthand, including movement. When I thought I saw blood in my stool, my own, there were either no symptoms, or by the time I contacted my PCP, who gave me there were symptoms, the cancer a home test to take. It was positive was already very advanced. It for blood, so I booked a colonoscopy. “It is so important that is so important that even very KM: Could you walk us through even very mild symptoms mild symptoms should never be ignored. I urge people to please where you are now in your treatment journey? should never be ignored. get screened because it could save your life. MP: My initial treatment was I urge people to please get KM: Are there any words chemo-radiation. So, I received screened because it could of advice you would have for chemotherapy on days 1–5 and 31–35 while receiving 35 days save your life.” a patient just receiving their diagnosis? of external beam radiation to the tumor in my rectum/anus. (There MP: Breathe. You’ve got this. is a very slim margin). I was then I would seek several opinions before scanned in January 2020. The initial area of my treatment choosing where to go for treatment. I would read as much as looked successful—rectum clear, lymph nodes clear—but I could about my diagnosis, so I’m informed. Take someone the physicians were suspicious of metastasis to my liver. A with you to every appointment if you can. If there are still February 2020 liver biopsy confirmed that the cancer had COVID restrictions, FaceTime or conference call someone metastasized to my liver. There were tumors in both lobes. in on the appointment.

From March to August 2020, I received carboplatin and taxol every three weeks, which resulted in a slight Marlene’s story is a reminder that this cancer can no positive response. In August 2020, I had colostomy surgery. longer be considered an “old person’s” disease. With the rising From October to December 2020, I received Keytruda statistics and patients like Marlene sharing her story, hopefully immunotherapy every three weeks with no success, and more people will take heed my tumor continued to grow. and begin earlier screenings. Kelly McCor-

Currently, I receive FOLFOX chemo every other week. It is imperative now, more than mick is Digital/ I also just had y90 spheres directly planted into the tumors ever, that young adults start Managing in my liver, and after recovery, I will need to have the same thing done in my other lobe. It’s a two-part procedure. First, they map out where to plant, then two days later, they deploy screenings at 45 years old, unless there is a family history, in which case earlier screenings Editor of PE GI Journal and Director of Marketing at the radioactive isotopes. It’s been quite a ride! may be advised. PE GI Solutions.