Jenna Scott was seven months pregnant when she unknowingly began experiencing symptoms of colon cancer in 2016.
Rectal bleeding and stomach pain made her believe she had a miscarriage, Scott told USA Today. Doctors told the 31-year-old mother that the pains are nothing to worry about, and simply part of pregnancy.
But when they persisted after giving birth, Scott, now 34, was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer.
“He told me I had cancer,” Scott said. “We had built up such a good relationship up to that point, and I giggled and laughed … and I said, ‘Seriously? “I thought he was playing and then he just had a straight face. ‘
Pregnancy masked cancer symptoms and delayed treatment
Symptoms of colorectal cancer, or colon and rectal cancer, include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue: all symptoms that can accompany pregnancy.
Scott never suspected that someone her age could have any form of aggressive cancer, especially not as someone who eats healthy food and exercises regularly.
Although earlier stages of colon cancer are very treatable and have a survival rate of 90%, advanced, more deadly stages of colorectal cancer have more and more young people. The growing number of colon cancer cases affecting young people is affecting black communities across the US excessively.
Chadwick Boseman’s death has led to a larger discussion on racial differences in colorectal cancer deaths
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died at 43 last year after a four-year battle with colorectal cancer. His death caused widespread discussion of colorectal cancer, especially in color communities.
Research over the past 30 years indicates that the number of colon cancers and rectal cancers is increasing for people under 40. A study published by the American Cancer Society found that 51.6% of people with colon cancer under 50 have been diagnosed, had advanced stages of the disease. only 40% of people over 50.
The increase in severe cases of colon cancer among young people is severe in black communities, as studies show that black people are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and die from the disease.
Scott told USA Today that she spends her time raising awareness of colorectal cancer in black communities while fighting the disease.
“I’m really set on making my community, the Black community, heard, because we’re not really talking about it,” she said. “We are not really going the way we should to the doctors and access to health care is not that easy.”
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