Heather Candrilli ignored years of bloating and stomach pain, assuming it was normal after pregnancy or related to diet. Like many people, she never imagined the symptoms could signal something serious. At 36, she was diagnosed with stage-4 colon cancer, after the disease had already spread.
Her diagnosis came only after repeated doctor visits where her concerns were dismissed. Tests for other conditions were done, but a colonoscopy was not suggested. When imaging later showed a problem with her liver, doctors finally ordered the test. It quickly revealed an aggressive tumor in her colon.
Since then, Heather Candrilli has undergone major surgery and more than 20 rounds of chemotherapy. The treatment is shrinking the tumors, but the battle is far from over. She is now waiting for a liver transplant while continuing intensive care.
The family’s struggle has also exposed a wider problem. Colon cancer is rising in younger adults, yet screening is usually recommended only after age 45. Insurance rules often make early testing difficult or expensive, even when symptoms are present. Delayed screening can allow cancer to advance before it is found.
Doctors warn that colon cancer often causes mild or common symptoms at first. Persistent bloating, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or blood in stool should never be ignored. Early testing can find and remove precancerous growths, saving lives.