Brenda Pletcher

Story: “After a couple of years suffering with constipation and diarrhea, I talked to my doctor during a diabetes check-up. He told me to take stool softeners. Three months later I complained again about bowel problems. He ordered a CT scan. The next morning he called me at 7:30am to say, 'You have a mass in your colon. I am referring you to a colon surgeon at the James Cancer Center.' I got an appointment fast and a colonoscopy the next day. The surgeon confirmed rectal cancer.”

Advice: “Talk to your doctor whenever your 'normal' changes. DO NOT WAIT!”