31-year-old woman thought it was indigestion — diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer

Understanding colon cancer

Adrienne Ford, a 31-year-old Ohio resident, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer after experiencing abdominal discomfort following a bowl of ice cream. What seemed like indigestion led her to visit the ER, where imaging revealed lesions in her liver, prompting further tests that confirmed the cancer’s origin.

Colon cancer is highly treatable and often curable when detected early. Screening methods like colonoscopy can identify early signs and even remove precancerous growths before they develop into cancer.

A colonoscopy uses a long, thin tube with a camera to examine the colon and rectum for polyps—small growths that are not yet cancerous. If found, these polyps can be removed during the procedure.

Screenings are generally recommended starting at age 45. However, those at higher risk, such as individuals with a family history, may need to begin earlier. It’s best to discuss screening options with a doctor.

Adrienne Ford, who has been living with stage 4 colon cancer since January 2025, initially brushed off her symptoms as simple indigestion after eating ice cream. When the discomfort persisted and she noticed a lump, she decided to seek medical care.

Ford, a physician assistant diagnosed at age 31, shared that the diagnosis came as a shock because she maintained a very active and healthy lifestyle.

“So, a week before, I went to the ER, I had a bowl of ice cream. And I remember after I ate it, I was like ‘Oh, this is not sitting well.’ I waited out the night into the next day and I still wasn’t feeling well,” she said.

She described feeling discomfort in a specific area of her digestive tract but assumed it was normal indigestion or gas.

“Everything was normal aside from the discomfort I was feeling,” she said, noting she had no vomiting, normal bowel movements, and no significant pain.

She ultimately chose to visit the ER because a friend who worked there encouraged her—a decision she now calls life-saving.

Her initial lab results came back normal, but a CT scan revealed multiple lesions in her liver that appeared to be metastatic disease. This led to further testing, including a colonoscopy, which confirmed colon cancer.

Ford said her body initially responded well to chemotherapy, though she has since faced setbacks and a recurrence.

Despite the challenges, she continues to maintain a positive outlook.

“When life hands you circumstances that are challenging, it is so easy to fall into asking ‘why me?’ Your feelings that things are unfair are valid,” she shared.

She explained that over time, her mindset shifted.

“Instead of ‘why me?’ I started to ask: ‘What is here for me?’ And from there, everything changed. My life has never felt more full. I’ve never felt more grateful and aligned in my life, despite going through cancer.”

Ford said practicing presence and acceptance has helped her cope with her diagnosis and find gratitude even during difficult moments.

Colon cancer in younger adults

Colon cancer is typically diagnosed at older ages—around 68 for men and 72 for women. However, cases among people under 50 have been rising since the 1990s.

Research shows diagnoses in people younger than 55 increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019. Experts are still working to understand why, though factors such as diet, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental influences may play a role.

Understanding advanced colon cancer

Stage 4, or metastatic colon cancer, means the disease has spread beyond the colon to other organs. In some cases, if the spread is limited, surgery may still offer a chance of cure. However, chemotherapy is the most common treatment for advanced cases.

Colon cancer often begins as polyps in the colon or rectum. If not removed, these can develop into cancer over time—sometimes taking up to 10 years.

Regular screening is key to prevention, as doctors can remove polyps before they become cancerous.

Treatment options for colon cancer

Advances in treatment now allow for more personalized approaches. Doctors often test for genetic mutations and biomarkers to determine the most effective therapy.

Biomarkers—found in blood, tissue, or other body fluids—help guide diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Common markers include genetic mutations like KRAS, BRAF, and HER2, as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which can indicate disease progression.

Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Common chemotherapy regimens include combinations such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, CAPEOX, and others.

Targeted therapies are also emerging, offering additional options for patients with advanced disease.

More on colon cancer

Colon cancer screenings may include at-home tests, but colonoscopy remains the most effective method.

Symptoms can include changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, changes in stool shape or color, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or anemia caused by slow internal bleeding.

Questions to ask after a diagnosis