Michael Atwell
Patient/Survivor |
Colon - Stage II |
Age at Diagnosis: 47
I went to the ER for lower left abdomen pain, which I thought was being caused by dehydration. My CT scan showed a mass in my lower colon. I asked ER to review my CT from five months prior when I was there for a groin muscle tear. I returned for a follow-up colonoscopy and was taken the next morning to emergency surgery to remove a mass that was 3 cm and was causing 95% blockage. It was stage II, and we caught it in time, so no chemo or radiation was needed.
Michael Atwell
Patient/Survivor |
Colon - Stage II |
Age at Diagnosis: 47

I went to the ER for lower left abdomen pain, which I thought was being caused by dehydration. My CT scan showed a mass in my lower colon. I asked ER to review my CT from five months prior when I was there for a groin muscle tear. I returned for a follow-up colonoscopy and was taken the next morning to emergency surgery to remove a mass that was 3 cm and was causing 95% blockage. It was stage II, and we caught it in time, so no chemo or radiation was needed.
“It’s scary--yes, but be positive and fight this fight with everything you have.”
Michael Atwell
Patient/Survivor |
Colon - Stage II |
Age at Diagnosis: 47

I went to the ER for lower left abdomen pain, which I thought was being caused by dehydration. My CT scan showed a mass in my lower colon. I asked ER to review my CT from five months prior when I was there for a groin muscle tear. I returned for a follow-up colonoscopy and was taken the next morning to emergency surgery to remove a mass that was 3 cm and was causing 95% blockage. It was stage II, and we caught it in time, so no chemo or radiation was needed.
“It’s scary--yes, but be positive and fight this fight with everything you have.”
Share this Story!




