{"id":2587,"date":"2023-03-27T15:58:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T15:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/blog\/?p=2587"},"modified":"2025-03-19T22:41:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T22:41:23","slug":"i-was-in-denial-colon-cancer-survivor-initially-avoids-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/blog\/gastrointestinal\/i-was-in-denial-colon-cancer-survivor-initially-avoids-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"I was in denial: Colon Cancer Survivor Initially Avoids Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meet Wade Stevenson, a stage 2 colon cancer survivor.<\/h2>\n

What is apparent about Wade’s personality is his warm smile and calm demeanor. His story of avoiding critical care is not unique. In fact, men typically require a bit of a push when it comes to seeing their doctor regularly or when they experience an ongoing symptom, whether from their spouse, a trusted friend, or a family member. Wade needed lots of encouragement, which came in the form of a reminder from his wife, “’til death do us part,” and his family who all came to Saint John’s Health Center prior to his surgery and COVID lockdown. Fortunately, Dr. Tracey Childs was there to support Wade and his family, bringing to light the care path she recommended.<\/p>\n

\n

“Really?… I’m not doing chemo, I’m not doing radiation, you’re not going to cut on me. You’re not doing none of that.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– Wade Stevenson<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Wade
Wade talks with Dr. Tracey Childs about his treatment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Dr. Childs connected with Wade in a way that resonated with him, referring to her as a “faith-going person.” This was reassuring to Wade. While some patients may choose to let life take its course, others may need additional support to move forward with care. Though it may vary depending on the nature of the care needed, the CDC has found the rate of annual examinations and preventive care was “100 percent higher for women than for men,” an indication that more outreach and awareness are needed for men, which also has a profound impact for minority groups.1<\/sup>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), a national support organization, recently assembled a team of nationally recognized doctors and institutions such as Saint John’s to help address colorectal cancer health inequity (See Stand Up to Cancer with Dr. Anton Bilchik, Co-leading the Colorectal Cancer Health Equity Dream Team<\/em>), focusing on African American communities to develop pathways for early diagnosis and treatment intervention.<\/p>\n

\n

I had to let it be his decision… I needed him to come to terms with his diagnosis.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– Marilyn Stevenson<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Listen to Wade and Marilyn discuss the details of their journey.<\/h3>\n