Andrea Suarez V
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage II |
Age at Diagnosis: 43
In 2015, I began experiencing persistent constipation. By 2016, I noticed dark blood in my stool. Despite my family history of colon cancer, my doctor didn’t recommend a colonoscopy. As a recent immigrant, I felt lost in the U.S. healthcare system and scheduled a colonoscopy on my own. I woke up from anesthesia to hear, “You have cancer.” I was diagnosed with stage IIA colon cancer and underwent a six-hour colorectal resection in December. I didn’t need chemo. Now, nearly nine years later, I’m a survivor—and an advocate, working to improve access to culturally appropriate care for Spanish-speaking patients.
Andrea Suarez V
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage II |
Age at Diagnosis: 43
In 2015, I began experiencing persistent constipation. By 2016, I noticed dark blood in my stool. Despite my family history of colon cancer, my doctor didn’t recommend a colonoscopy. As a recent immigrant, I felt lost in the U.S. healthcare system and scheduled a colonoscopy on my own. I woke up from anesthesia to hear, “You have cancer.” I was diagnosed with stage IIA colon cancer and underwent a six-hour colorectal resection in December. I didn’t need chemo. Now, nearly nine years later, I’m a survivor—and an advocate, working to improve access to culturally appropriate care for Spanish-speaking patients.
"Ask questions. Speak up. You deserve to be heard and respected."
Andrea Suarez V
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage II |
Age at Diagnosis: 43
In 2015, I began experiencing persistent constipation. By 2016, I noticed dark blood in my stool. Despite my family history of colon cancer, my doctor didn’t recommend a colonoscopy. As a recent immigrant, I felt lost in the U.S. healthcare system and scheduled a colonoscopy on my own. I woke up from anesthesia to hear, “You have cancer.” I was diagnosed with stage IIA colon cancer and underwent a six-hour colorectal resection in December. I didn’t need chemo. Now, nearly nine years later, I’m a survivor—and an advocate, working to improve access to culturally appropriate care for Spanish-speaking patients.
"Ask questions. Speak up. You deserve to be heard and respected."
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