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“Fit, Young, and Still Diagnosed”: A 31-Year-Old CIO’s Colon Cancer Journey : 💪

Sarah Johnson

Despite a life defined by health and productivity, Jenna Scott—now a 39-year-old COO from Georgia—faced a life-altering moment in 2017. At just 31, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, a condition often dismissed in younger, fit individuals.

📝 Early Symptoms Dismissed as Pregnancy

Jenna’s symptoms began late in her pregnancy: severe abdominal pain, bleeding, and cramping. Her OB-GYN reassured her that these were common issues caused by pregnancy. Even after delivery and a C-section, her discomfort was chalked up to postpartum recovery.

It wasn’t until June 29, 2017, after relentless insistence and relief medication proving ineffective, that a colonoscopy revealed the cancer—with her medical team delivering the diagnosis surrounded by family and staff.

⚕️ A Harsh Reality: From Diagnosis to Treatment

Jenna’s life quickly shifted gears. Despite being strong and muscular—making cancer hard to spot on scans—she faced a storm of emotions as her body underwent intensive chemotherapy, surgeries, and ongoing monitoring .

  • Chemo waves: She endured two heavy cycles of treatment, paused briefly, then resumed when scans showed cancer in her lungs and liver.

  • Maintenance therapy: Since 2021, Jenna has depended on daily pills and low-dose chemo to keep the disease at bay.

  • Side effects: Insomnia, hallucinations, overheating, nausea, and emotional strain have become part of her daily routine, especially juggling treatment with caring for her son.

💸 The Financial Toll

Even with health insurance, the costs mounted—ranging from a $500 colonoscopy and $3,000 monthly bills to overnight childcare and mortgage payments.

A community-driven GoFundMe campaign raised over $30,000 in just 17 days, offering crucial financial relief and strength during her surgeries.

👩‍👦 Resilience Through Motherhood

Her eight-year-old son, Cameron, became her sun on cloudy days. Jenna shares:

“He asked me, ‘Mommy, can you die from cancer?’… He holds me, cares for me—even puts chapstick on me,”.

Despite the ongoing treatment, they still attend his games—she with chemo pumps, he cheering by her side.

💡 Lessons & Lifelong Advocacy

  • Under‑45 can’t wait: Early symptoms like persistent cramps, rectal bleeding, or fatigue—even in healthy people—deserve immediate attention.

  • Advocate for yourself: If a doctor dismisses you due to age or fitness, push for second opinions.

  • Screening norms are changing: Younger-onset colorectal cancer cases are rising—1 in 5 are now diagnosed before 54.

  • Normalize bowel talk: Fluency in discussing symptoms like blood in stool can be lifesaving and break taboos.

Jenna’s story is more than a cautionary tale—it’s a call to action. Colon cancer doesn’t respect age or fitness. The sooner we speak up, get screened, and share our stories, the more lives we save.


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