Forty-four year old Gina Bubon is one to beat the odds and wants to save other lives along with her own. Diagnosed with colon cancer at the young age of 39 (a disease people often associate with the over-50 crowd) Gina is adamant that no one ignore colon cancer symptoms.
“While I was getting my annual exam at my OB/GYN’s office,” recalls Gina, “a series of tests revealed I had microscopic blood in my stool. My OB suggested I see a gastroenterologist. While I couldn’t see any blood, my former gastroenterologist suggested it was probably due to hemorrhoids as a result of bearing two children. He said a colonoscopy was certainly an option, but only if I wanted to pursue the test. I had no risk factors: no family history and I wasn’t even 50.
“As a mother of teens, though, any risk of cancer was too great for me. I decided to have the colonoscopy and in doing so, the doctor discovered a large tumor in my colon about the mass of a baseball. The thought of a misdiagnosis frightens me. I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t had the colonoscopy.”
Doctors removed the tumor. Luckily, the cancer had not spread beyond the confines of Gina’s colon so she did not have to undergo chemotherapy. “I feel so fortunate and blessed, but it was scary,” says Gina.
Gina’s current gastroenterologist, Dr. Lauri Harsh, Eastern Iowa Gastroenterology, now examines Gina once a year for any sign of recurrence. “Dr. Harsh is just great and incredibly thorough,” says Gina. “I am proud to say I’ve been cancer-free for almost five years. I ask that anyone with symptoms to get a colonoscopy. Take this seriously. Don’t take the risk. Life is too precious.”
Do you have questions? A patient advocate is available for a real-time chat or phone call to talk through all the details – whether it’s questions about risk factors, screening procedures or costs. Need a referral? The patient advocate can help you out there, too, by providing a free referral to a qualified specialist.
I read the story of Gina Bubon. I was just curious if she had any genetic testing done. I was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 46. I am currently 48. I had genetic testing done and I have Lynch Syndrome. This is what caused my colon cancer. Because this is so hereditary other family members got tested. My mother, sister, and brother also have Lynch Syndrome. Many people have not heard of this so I highly recommend younger people that get colon cancer have genetic testing.