Taylor Golder

Story: "Due to extensive family history of colon cancer on my maternal grandmother's side, I was told I had to be screened at the age of 25. My grandmother was diagnosed at 53 with colon cancer, and later on, also had endometrial cancer. Both of her sons were also diagnosed with colon cancer: One of them was 35 when a tumor was dislodged due to him doing a juice cleanse. It was then that we also learned about Lynch syndrome and that it ran in our family.

"On October 13, 2016, I went in for what was supposed to be a routine colonoscopy. Instead, I came out of the procedure with the news that two polyps had been found; one of them the doctor was 99% sure was malignant. I was at work the following Tuesday when I got the call confirming the biopsy was malignant. I sat in a phone room and cried.

"Two months later, on December 2, 2016, I was in the hospital having a colon resection done as they were unsure if the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I also learned that I had tested glaringly positive for Lynch syndrome; I have the MLH 1 genetic mutation. I spent four days in the hospital and the day I was discharged, I received the news that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes. I am happy to say that I have been cancer-free for five years, and my latest colonoscopy just came back clear as well."

Advice: "Age is not a limit. Do not be afraid to fight the insurance company or whomever you need to speak with to get screened. It could save your life.

"You are not alone. I recently attended a Lynch syndrome workshop and up until then, felt like I did not have anyone in my corner. Being so young and having this diagnosis and now inherited genetic condition, I didn't know where to turn. But there are resources out there. No one fights alone."