--- title: "Colon Cancer Diagnosis Delayed in Young Patient" url: https://newscentral.site/colon-cancer-diagnosis-delayed-in-young-patient/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Business" published: 2026-10-27T18:09:25.000Z updated: 2026-10-28T00:42:19.440Z id: fde73905-e7d5-48d0-ab29-6b551d53468e source: "Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/32-year-old-woman-told-too-young-for-colon-cancer-2026-10" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/colon-cancer-diagnosis-delayed-in-young-patient/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Colon Cancer Diagnosis Delayed in Young Patient A 43-year-old woman's symptoms of bloating and stomach pain were initially misdiagnosed as inflammation in her intestines. Azucena "Suzy" Reyes, 43, from Alvin, Texas, was a picture of health despite her symptoms. She had been studying to be a certified nurse assistant and running a construction company with her husband while raising their four children together. However, she couldn't shake off the feeling of bloating in her stomach that made her look like she was pregnant. Reyes' condition worsened over time, leaving her exhausted from working out and caring for her family. She started experiencing fevers and intense nausea, along with severe stomach pain that made her think one of her ovaries had burst. Her symptoms were so severe that she visited the emergency room four times between August and October 2015. Initially, Reyes was diagnosed with inflammation in her intestines, but her condition persisted despite treatment. It wasn't until a fifth visit to the ER that doctors sent her to see a gastroenterologist. This specialist referred her back to the ER for emergency surgery, where she received a diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer. The diagnosis came as a shock to Reyes, who had no prior knowledge about colon cancer. The ER staff's initial diagnosis of colitis and enteritis - inflammation of the small and large intestines - had been incorrect, with further complications including a microperforation. This revelation sparked concern for Reyes' health and her future. Reyes' experience highlights the complexities of diagnosing colon cancer in younger patients. Her symptoms were dismissed as typical for someone of her age, despite her persistent complaints. It wasn't until she received emergency surgery that the true extent of her condition was revealed. After being sent home with antibiotics for her intense nausea, the woman continued to suffer from persistent pain that wouldn't subside. She returned to the emergency room and was put on a PICC line to administer medication, requiring a three-week hospital stay. Meanwhile, she attempted to book an appointment with a gastroenterologist but was placed on a waitlist until early October. The PICC line was eventually removed, only to have her nausea return. Two subsequent ER visits yielded no further answers or relief from her symptoms. The situation took a critical turn when the woman and her husband made their fifth visit to the emergency room, where an ultrasound revealed a tumor had completely obstructed her transverse colon. This finding made it extremely difficult for her to keep food down, prompting emergency surgery the following morning. During the surgery, the surgeon initially reassured the woman that she shouldn't worry about the tumor due to her age and demographic profile. However, further examination led to a diagnosis of stage 3B colon cancer, which was revealed a week later. The couple's initial plan was to keep their daughter's diagnosis private from her four children, who were then between 4 and 16 years old. They had intended to leave them in the care of Reyes' mother while they pretended to be going on a month-long trip together. However, this plan soon became unfeasible as it turned out that Reyes would require more extensive treatment than initially thought. Her oncologist informed her that the cancer had spread beyond her muscular wall and into her lymph nodes, necessitating 12 rounds of chemotherapy over six months. Reyes experienced severe side effects from the chemo, including nausea, fatigue, and weight gain. She recalled being severely swollen due to fluid retention, a common symptom of chemotherapy-induced edema. She continues to experience neuropathy in her extremities, a lingering side effect of chemotherapy that feels like needles poking at her skin. This condition has been particularly challenging for her, and it is not uncommon for cancer patients to deal with long-term effects of their treatment. Reyes' own experience with colon cancer led her to encourage her brother, who was only 42 at the time, to undergo a colonoscopy despite being below the recommended screening age of 45. Her efforts ultimately paid off when he was diagnosed and received successful treatment for his tumor. After surgery, her brother has been in remission for four years, according to Reyes. --- Source: [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/32-year-old-woman-told-too-young-for-colon-cancer-2026-10) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/colon-cancer-diagnosis-delayed-in-young-patient/