What I’ve Learned: “Sharing might save a life”

Although there are millions of people currently facing cancer, it can be a lonely experience. Not only is each cancer case different, but each patient's life beyond the waiting room is filled with unique strengths, challenges, goals, and relationships. In this series, we celebrate the people who are our patients and share what they've learned while charting their own path.

Aaron has been a competitive athlete his whole life. He likes to win. He likes to take action. In his own words, he likes “to make things better.”

So when his Cologuard® test came back positive, he didn’t wait. The decision to screen, to follow up, and to act, led to the detection of stage III colorectal cancer. Now, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Aaron is sharing what he’s learned. Because while you can’t eliminate the risk entirely, screening is one of the most powerful steps you can take to help protect your health.

What happened when you received your Cologuard result?

I was in Florida when I got the notification. I opened it and thought, ‘Oh crap. Something doesn’t feel right.’ It was nerve-wracking to hear it was positive. I didn’t really understand what a positive result meant, and I don’t like the unknown. So I said, let’s get in, let’s do this, let’s figure this out. I certainly wasn’t thinking it would be stage III colon cancer.

What did you learn after your follow-up colonoscopy?

I woke up to the doctor holding a piece of paper that said there was a mass in my colon. He told me he was 95% sure it was cancerous. They took a biopsy and said we’d have the results in a few days. I remember thinking, ‘What? I have no symptoms. This is crazy.’

At that point, I called a friend of mine who is a doctor. He helped me get in quickly, right before Christmas, for a CT scan. The athlete in me was thinking ‘if something is not right, let’s figure it out. Take the steps forward, fix it, and get healthy as quickly as I can.’

What was going through your mind as you waited for more answers?

I’m pretty strong in my faith, so I did a lot of praying. I have two kids, I didn’t want to die. I just kept thinking hopefully we caught it early enough.

What has staying on top of your health looked like since treatment?

I still have scanxiety every time a colonoscopy comes around. I’ve had two since—in 2022 and 2023. At one point, I was having some heartburn and they found a polyp in my duodenum. Precancerous. They removed it and now everything’s looking pretty good.

Why do you share your story?

After my diagnosis, I’ve tried to connect with other people who’ve had it. I leaned on others for advice, and that meant a lot to me. So I think I need to tell my story—not for attention or anything, but maybe I’ll save someone else’s life if I just share my story. I’ve never felt embarrassed or ashamed, but I have felt scared and worried. So why not use my scenario as a platform and convince some friends to get screened.

What would you tell someone who hasn’t been screened?

You’ve got to get screened—it’s too easy. Especially with Cologuard. Mailing a box back is pretty dang easy. I always say, ‘you want what happened to me?’ And that’s what they need to hear. Go talk to your doctor, or get screened, do one of the two. I’d have lost my life if I had done nothing. I’m not trying to guilt anyone, but I’m just trying to emphasize how important it is.

When you reflect on your experience now, how do you feel?

You might think this would feel like a black cloud in my life, but for me, talking about it is healthy. It reminds me of how far I’ve come. We’re three years out, and I did all of that in 4-5 months. Thinking through everything I’ve been through gives me perspective, gives me pride, a sense of helping.

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This story reflects one individual’s experience. Not every person will have the same treatment, experience, outcome, or result. Cologuard is prescribed by your health care provider. Talk to your health care provider about available screening options and whether Cologuard may be right for you. There are potential risks associated with the Cologuard test and it may not be appropriate for all patients. For more information about the risks, talk to your health care provider or visit Cologuard.com/risk-information for more information.

If you’ve screened for colon cancer with Cologuard, we invite you to connect with the Screen + Me network. Learn more.