A 24-year-old woman from California was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer after dismissing early symptoms. She urges others to check for signs and take health concerns seriously, no matter their age.
A 24-year-old woman from Southern California, Meagan Meadows, was shocked to receive a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis after initially brushing off early warning signs, thinking she was “too young” to have cancer. Her story serves as a stark reminder that cancer can affect people of all ages, and early detection can save lives.
Meagan, who had just completed her master’s degree in education, was looking forward to the next chapter of her life when she noticed a subtle but concerning symptom: a faint trace of blood in her stool. Although it was barely visible and not frequent, she dismissed it as something minor, possibly related to stress, her diet, or even hemorrhoids. It wasn’t until she mentioned it to friends that they insisted she get checked out, urging her to visit a doctor “just to be safe.”
Luckily, Meagan took their advice and scheduled an appointment, which ultimately led to her devastating diagnosis. At first, she couldn’t believe it. “I just thought, I’m only 24, there’s no way I have anything going on,” Meagan shared in an interview with Business Insider. “I felt so embarrassed because clearly I was fine. I almost canceled my appointment.”
However, after tests and consultations, it was confirmed that Meagan had stage 3 colon cancer. “When I woke up, they asked my mom to come in and get me so we could all be in the room with the doctor,” she recalled. “It was difficult to process.”
Meagan had a small section of her colon, about 25 cm long, removed as part of her treatment. Now, she is speaking out to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and the need to take symptoms seriously, regardless of age. She emphasized, “If I would have known that so many young people were getting diagnosed with colon cancer, I would have taken the symptom more seriously.”
Despite the blood being faint and occasional, Meagan now knows that such signs should not be ignored. “It wasn’t in concerning amounts; it wasn’t there every time,” she explained. “I almost never noticed it. I easily wrote it off as something else.”
Meagan is now encouraging everyone, especially young people, to pay attention to their health and check for symptoms. “Obviously no one wants to talk about their poop, but it’s always better to get checked,” she said.
In addition to her treatment, Meagan is also working to freeze her eggs before starting chemotherapy, as the treatment can cause infertility. She hopes this will allow her to have children in the future, despite the tough circumstances.
To support Meagan through this difficult time, her loved ones have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical bills and other expenses. The funds will also help her with the cost of freezing her eggs.
You can donate to Meagan’s GoFundMe here and help support her journey.
