Any other females under age 50, dx of stage III here?

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Kathryn_in_MN
Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I'm trying to get a better feel for the numbers. I know I shouldn't dwell on things like that, but I'm an accountant (although I've branched out into travel). I can't help it - I am a number fanatic and over-analyze things statistically.

I've read the survival rates on hospital literature, and Internet sites etc., but I don't think they apply to me. How can you compare a young, otherwise healthy vegetarian, non-smoker, with someone 70+ with other health issues?

I'm curious to find how many other under 50's are here (w/o other health issues), and how long since they've had the dx.

I'm not a grandmother yet, and still have children at home - finding myself in a little different situation with different worries than many people who have moved on to the next chapter in their lives before getting this dx. It would be nice to find others with some of the same issues - like talking to their kids about this, and how to take care of them if you have a rough time during chemo, etc. I don't just have to worry about myself and my business, but my kids too.

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
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    I was 49 at dx...
    Healthy, enthusiastic, works well with others....lol!

    Stage III, but wierd...squamous cell carcinoma in the first rectal fold.

    Dx'ed 12/2004, treated and finished, 5/2005, dx'ed stage II breast cancer 8/2005, treated and finished 7/2006.

    NED (No Evidence of Disease) on either cancer.

    Just returned from a driving trip from Holland, thru Belgium, Luxemborg, France, Switzerland, and Germany.

    No, you are NOT finished with living!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • polarprincess
    polarprincess Member Posts: 202
    #3
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    hi
    Hi, I am under 50- was diagnosed last year at age 42 with stage IIIa. I finshed chemo in may and have had all clear scans and am starting to feel good again. I am also from Minnesota- welcome to this site. I would also like to invite you over to to the colonclub.com a site that was created for people under the age of 50 dx with colon cancer..although there are people older than that welcome on there. In my constant searching for statistics i found a calculator on the memorial sloan kettering website for stage III only patients, with adenocarcinoma only based on a pool of 1300 patients and it is supposed to be the most current and accurate way of predicting your 5 and 10 year survival. A person has to be careful with it though as the results can be disturbing to some if there are alot of negative prognostic factors. For me it gave me the best statistics i had seen anywhere..but you have to know some info like cea..whether or not you had lymphovascular or perineural invasion (should say on your pathology report) the differentiation of the cells, section of colon removed and number of positive and negative lymph nodes which you know. The second link i am giving you gives you all kinds of graphs and charts where you can see how they came up with the numbers. I have punched in info for stage III C before and i know with age of 42 with moderate differentiation, 5 of 19 lymph nodes positive with chemo and with no lymphovascular of perineural invasion the results were quite encouraging. But sometimes too, it is best to not know because each individual has their own story. I have always said the odds at my age of getting colon cancer were under 5%, so even if that is all my odds of beating it were, why couldn't i be one of the 5%
    http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/83364.cfm
    http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/full/26/3/380
  • pokismom
    pokismom Member Posts: 153
    #4
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    Me Too!
    Hi, I was dx at age 46 with IIIc colon cancer, did chemo 1/08 finished 7/08 and now having a biopsy (monday) for possible
    mets to lung. At least I can say I had a year off to prepare for whats in store for me next. I have 3 daughters, 21,16 & 15. I talked to
    them recently about the current situation and cannot say it was easy, but we felt they need to be prepared. My husband is really good and took up all the pick ups and drop offs and most meals. I struggled with wanting to clean but in the end said WTH and just lived with it. I did some traveling in my time off from chemo and recently went Vegan and walk everynight. Just getting my body in shape for things to come. Hang in there, think today and not tomorrow, we got to live in the moment.
    Donna
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #5
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    Have you seen?
    Kathryn, have you gone to www.colonclub.com ? It was started by a gal who had cc at 22. Check out the 'Colondar' calendar. It's all people under 40.
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    #6
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    27...
    I was diagnosed the day after I turned 27 with stage III that developed from a juvenile polyp. I had nearly zero risk factors, really no symptoms to speak of, and was healthy up to that point.

    I had surgery to remove the cancer and 6 months of chemo to add insurance.

    I will be celebrating my 5 year mark the beginning of October, and have so far been blessed with NED (no evidence of disease).

    Unfortunately, there are way too many people, male and female, being diagnosed at advanced stages under the age of 50.

    I wish you luck on your cancer journey. I haven't had a chance yet to read your story. Just remember don't give up. As long as you can pull a breath, you have a chance.

    Patricia
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    #7
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    chynabear said:

    27...
    I was diagnosed the day after I turned 27 with stage III that developed from a juvenile polyp. I had nearly zero risk factors, really no symptoms to speak of, and was healthy up to that point.

    I had surgery to remove the cancer and 6 months of chemo to add insurance.

    I will be celebrating my 5 year mark the beginning of October, and have so far been blessed with NED (no evidence of disease).

    Unfortunately, there are way too many people, male and female, being diagnosed at advanced stages under the age of 50.

    I wish you luck on your cancer journey. I haven't had a chance yet to read your story. Just remember don't give up. As long as you can pull a breath, you have a chance.

    Patricia

    I was diagnosed with stage 3
    I was diagnosed with stage 3 at 35yrs. 2 young kids 4 & 5. It was devastating. I had chemo/rad for 6 wks, then surgery with a temp ileostomy and presently getting more chemo, getting a reversal in less than 2 weeks and then back on chemo..
    You are not alone, wishing you all the best.. Petrina
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #8
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    Welcome to the board!
    Hello! You will find all too many of us diagnosed before 50. I was 38, stage IIIc, and had been sick for years before that. I was also a vegetarian for many years, and only had great uncles who were diagnosed later in life. They're not considering them a factor.

    Hang in there, and visit us often. If you need to vent, or get questions answered, this is the place. Trust me when i say you can get more information here than the doctors are able to give you, particularly about the ways treatments can effect you, and what it's like to go through this.

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #9
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    I was 46
    I was 46 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer 6 1/2 years ago. My kids were 14, 17, 21. Life will never be the same. I had no risk factors and even had genetic testing done. That was negative. I was told it was a fluke in my DNA. I had a rough couple of years, chemo/rad., 3 surgeries and 11 hospitalizations. I cherish every day. I have remained NED since my surgery.

    It will get better for you. Hang in there, you will get through this.

    Maureen
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #10
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    under 40!
    Hi Kathryn,

    i just posted on your other thread my particulars but I didn't mention I was 39 when I was dx'ed and by the size of my tumor I had it from 5-10 years before dx. I have 5 children and was nursing a toddler at the time. Most of my kids have left the nest and I'm 8 years cancer free! I just keep hanging out on these boards to encourage people to change their diets and alkalize their systems, juice, detox and give them hope for survival.

    Yeah, it was an odd feeling that a crunchy granola type like me who didn't drink a drop, smoke, eat refined sugar or fast food, and exercised like a fiend could get what I thought was an old fat stinky man's disease. How wrong I was!

    I never was "sick" since I didn't do any chemo so I didn't feel like I should unnecessarily worry them with the stats that I was told (30 % chance of living 5 years) and just did what I could to heal and get healthy again. Cancer is a symptom of a deeper issue and to this day I am still digging to the root. It's a process.

    My parents moved up to MN from SC to take care of my family while I healed. I was juicing 3 qts of fresh veggie juice/day and following a loose macrobiotic vegan diet so my mom cooked for my family and I cooked for me, and my kids/hubby did my juicing. It was all hands on deck, but I have to say I had to have a few tantrums to remind them that just b/c I wasn't "sick" didn't mean I wasn't dealing with a potentially life threatening disease. they just didn't "get it" at times what I was going through, and finding this board and the folks on here who "got it" was such comfort. Now they can't get rid of me! HA!

    On here you'll find you're not too young at all. We're average age I'd say. That's the sad truth.

    Welcome.

    peace, emily
  • mk1117
    mk1117 Member Posts: 46
    #11
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    Hello
    I was diagnosed at age 44 in Oct. 2004, stage IIIC, with 13 of 19 positive lymph nodes. I had 6 months of chemo (FOLFOX6). All CT scans since have been clear, with a CEA at under 2.0 most of the time. I had no symptoms to speak of, only low-grade fever, night sweats, and fatigue. Colon cancer didn't show up on initial CT scan, was found via colonoscopy. I've had no recurrences since the initial diagnosis, despite the high level of positive lymph nodes.

    Kathy
  • mykidsmommy
    mykidsmommy Member Posts: 76
    #12
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    I was 36
    Two years ago I was 36 - when I was dx with stage 3 colon cancer. My only thought and concern was about my two kids - a two year old and a 8 year old. I was completely healthy (other than the cancer thing), and it rocked our world. I am typing to you - after 12 rounds of crappy crappy chemo - which made it hard to be the kind of mommy that i was proud to be. I was tired mommy and grouchy mommy - and then because my chemo was in patient, I was in-the hospital mommy - for two nights every other wee for 6 months. BUT is seems to have done the trick - that and alot of love and prayers and and one great husband. Anyway - there are many of us young mom's who get colon cancer too - and I was like you - I need to know that - I went through the profiles on this website and searched by woman under 40 so I could see and feel better about others like me that might be out there.
    You might also like a web site - called the colon club - it is for younger people- but let me say the people on this web site are and supportive.

    Check out this web site : www. childrenstreehousefnd.org - I am currently working with this program to bring it to my city of San Diego - it is for kids whose parents who have cancer - great resourcses on the website.... book suggestions etc., But they have alist of 50 hospitals nationwide who offer the free program and maybe one is in your area???

    Hang in there - let your children be there for you - foot rubs are something they can do. Remember they are watching you and seeing how you handle this - and you will do just fine! One day at time is very cliche but when you are faced with cancer and treatment - you really need to do that. Rest when you can - and often - let people help you - you will get through this. I am hear to tell you!
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #13
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    polarprincess said:

    hi
    Hi, I am under 50- was diagnosed last year at age 42 with stage IIIa. I finshed chemo in may and have had all clear scans and am starting to feel good again. I am also from Minnesota- welcome to this site. I would also like to invite you over to to the colonclub.com a site that was created for people under the age of 50 dx with colon cancer..although there are people older than that welcome on there. In my constant searching for statistics i found a calculator on the memorial sloan kettering website for stage III only patients, with adenocarcinoma only based on a pool of 1300 patients and it is supposed to be the most current and accurate way of predicting your 5 and 10 year survival. A person has to be careful with it though as the results can be disturbing to some if there are alot of negative prognostic factors. For me it gave me the best statistics i had seen anywhere..but you have to know some info like cea..whether or not you had lymphovascular or perineural invasion (should say on your pathology report) the differentiation of the cells, section of colon removed and number of positive and negative lymph nodes which you know. The second link i am giving you gives you all kinds of graphs and charts where you can see how they came up with the numbers. I have punched in info for stage III C before and i know with age of 42 with moderate differentiation, 5 of 19 lymph nodes positive with chemo and with no lymphovascular of perineural invasion the results were quite encouraging. But sometimes too, it is best to not know because each individual has their own story. I have always said the odds at my age of getting colon cancer were under 5%, so even if that is all my odds of beating it were, why couldn't i be one of the 5%
    http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/83364.cfm
    http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/full/26/3/380

    Thanks Polar Princess
    I appreciate the links to a more individualized view of things.
    it sounds like we are close - age 47, stage IIIC, 5 of 17 lymph nodes positve, moderately differentiated, CEA = 1.8, sigmoid resection with clear margins, and no perineural. The results were more encouraging than I was pulling up elsewhere. And it is interesting to see the difference between with and without chemo - helpful in making decisions.

    I'm glad you are starting to feel better and have clear scans!
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #14
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    Sad but glad I'm not the only one
    It is sort of sad to see so many of you here, but also encouraging for me. Thank you everyone for responding and letting me know a bit of your stories.

    And thanks for the link to colonclub.com too, I hadn't found that yet. And the individualized "calculator" at Sloan Kettering.
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #15
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    I was 39 DX with Stage IV
    You're not alone!! I'm also an accountant...and I have 3 children.
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #16
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    luv3jay said:

    I was 39 DX with Stage IV
    You're not alone!! I'm also an accountant...and I have 3 children.

    42- Stage IV
    I was 42yo diagnosed StageIV in October of 2007. I am approaching my 2 year anniversary and NED(no evidence of disease) at this time. I hope and pray to remain that way but am thankful that I am here almost 2 years later and feeling well. I have two children that are now 14 and 13. We were honest and open with them. They handeled it remarkably well and truly believe I have been healed! I wish that I could say my faith is as strong. They are what kept me fighting.

    Hang in there! You can do this!!!

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #17
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    dx'd stage IV at 41
    I was diagnosed two years ago at age 41. I was already stage IV, so I probably had the cancer in me for 5-6 years before I was diagnosed, which would have been age 35 or 36.
    No family history and no high risk factors put off diagnosis for a while.

    I've definitely heard it's becoming more and more common in people under age 50, even under age 40. There's definitely a few on this board who are younger than that even.

    Lisa
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #18
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    lisa42 said:

    dx'd stage IV at 41
    I was diagnosed two years ago at age 41. I was already stage IV, so I probably had the cancer in me for 5-6 years before I was diagnosed, which would have been age 35 or 36.
    No family history and no high risk factors put off diagnosis for a while.

    I've definitely heard it's becoming more and more common in people under age 50, even under age 40. There's definitely a few on this board who are younger than that even.

    Lisa

    Diagnosed at 44 as stage llb
    I was diagnosed on June 4th as a stage llb....no symptoms prior to surgery....no family history My symptoms presented as diverticulitis, even the colonoscopy did not have anything positive...

    Unfortunately more people are being diagnosed with cc between the ages of 40-50....not sure why...and it is effecting men and women equally..

    Michelle
  • earied
    earied Member Posts: 22
    #19
    Options
    Diagnosed at 45
    Hi, was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer at 45 October 27th 2008. I had surgery, radiation and chemo. I finished by second round of chemo June 3rd 2009. I have 2 girls 16 & 19. My oldest was at school in another state. They and my husband were very supportive plus my friends and church family. I was hospitalized the week of christmas for 5 days with dehydration. The 5FU kicked my butt and they had to lower my chemo level by half.

    I am dealing with neuropathy in my feet and finges and still some diarrhea and bowl control problem.

    Hand in there.

    Ann
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #20
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • WinneyPooh
    WinneyPooh Member Posts: 318
    #21
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    44, female, married, two children, stage IV rectal Cancer
    DX june 3 2009, 5 rounds chemo behind me, one emergency surgery, and temp colospy bag (misspell).
    Doing Ok Taking one Day at a time
    Best wishes and prayers to all
    Winney

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