Additional Coverage:
- A woman’s colon cancer symptom was dismissed as pregnancy-related. Years later, at 32, the military spouse was diagnosed with stage 3. (businessinsider.com)
Monica Trott, a military spouse and gastroenterology nurse, faced a challenging journey after years of her colon cancer symptoms being mistaken for pregnancy-related issues. Approaching 30, she first noticed blood in her stool during her second pregnancy in 2019.
Despite her medical background and awareness that rectal bleeding can signal serious conditions like colon cancer, her doctors attributed the symptom to hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy and prolonged standing. Although she followed their advice to increase fiber intake and experienced temporary relief, the bleeding persisted.
By 2021, during her third pregnancy, Trott’s symptoms worsened, including mucus in her stool and extreme fatigue. Yet medical professionals continued to assure her that nothing was abnormal.
Determined for answers, she insisted on a colonoscopy weeks after giving birth, which revealed a golf ball-sized tumor in her rectum. At 32, she was diagnosed with stage 3C colon cancer, indicating that the disease had spread to nearly a dozen lymph nodes.
Following her diagnosis, Trott underwent surgery and six months of chemotherapy. The experience was emotionally taxing, especially as she grappled with concerns about her young children and the uncertainty of the future.
Supported by her husband, parents, and sisters, she found strength to endure treatment and focus on recovery. During this time, she moved back in with her parents in Texas while her husband was stationed in Alabama, relying heavily on her family’s care and support.
Now 38 and celebrating five years cancer-free, Trott emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and seeking help. “You have to advocate for yourself,” she said.
“Learn to ask for help and accept help.” She acknowledges the stigma surrounding colon cancer, especially for younger patients, and challenges misconceptions that the disease is solely linked to age or lifestyle choices.
As she gradually returns to work, substituting as a school nurse and considering oncology nursing, Trott remains committed to raising awareness about colon cancer symptoms such as abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Her message is clear: early screening and listening to one’s body can save lives.
Trott’s story is a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance and support in the face of illness. Her journey underscores that even those well-versed in medicine can face misdiagnoses, and that persistence and community can make all the difference in overcoming cancer.