Monica Trott Marks 5 Years Cancer-Free After Stage 3C Colon Cancer Was Missed at 32
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · May 30
Monica Trott Marks 5 Years Cancer-Free After Stage 3C Colon Cancer Was Missed at 32
1 articles · Updated · Business Insider · May 30
Summary
Five years after treatment, Monica Trott says she remains cancer-free following a stage 3C colon cancer diagnosis at age 32, reached only after she pushed for a colonoscopy weeks after giving birth in 2021.
Doctors had repeatedly attributed blood in her stool, mucus and fatigue during two pregnancies to hemorrhoids, but the colonoscopy found a golf ball-sized rectal tumor that had spread to nearly a dozen lymph nodes.
Two weeks after diagnosis, Trott underwent surgery and then 6 months of chemotherapy; scans later showed no evidence of disease, starting the countdown to the 5-year milestone when recurrence risk drops significantly.
Now 38, the mother of 3 says family support helped her through treatment and lingering side effects including early menopause, and she is gradually returning to nursing work in San Antonio.
Trott is using her experience to urge earlier screening and self-advocacy, warning that colon cancer symptoms in younger patients can be overlooked or dismissed.
With colorectal cancer deaths rising in young adults, why are pregnant women's symptoms still being fatally overlooked?
As colon cancer becomes a leading killer for young adults, are current screening guidelines failing them?
A nurse fought doctors for her diagnosis. What does it take for a young person's voice to be heard?
From Dismissed Symptoms to Advocacy: Monica Trott’s Five-Year Cancer-Free Milestone and the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Crisis
Overview
Monica Trott’s journey highlights both a personal and public health victory. After being diagnosed with cancer, she faced embarrassment and stigma, feeling wrongly blamed for her illness and initially keeping her cancer stage private. Despite these challenges, Monica underwent chemotherapy, which led to early menopause, but she persevered and reached five years cancer-free by May 30, 2026. This milestone not only marks her reduced risk of recurrence and renewed hope, but also draws attention to the growing issue of young-onset colorectal cancer, emphasizing the need for greater awareness, support, and early detection for others facing similar battles.