Younger adults in Williamson County, nation experience rising rates of colon cancer

IN THE NEWS | 06-21-2024 From the time she woke up with abdominal pain in 2020, it took Williamson County resident Paula Rojas nearly two years to be diagnosed with colon cancer.

After she visited an emergency room to see about her pain, it took roughly four months to receive a colonoscopy. Previously, doctors told her the discomfort could be a result of pancreatitis or irritable bowel syndrome.

“They expressed to me that I was too young; I was too active,” Rojas said. “I knew it was more than that.”

In April 2022, she was officially diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at age 43.

More people under 50 are experiencing Rojas’ situation, as doctors have noticed a rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses in this age demographic.

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