McCoy didn't need a colostomy. The surgery to remove the cancer was successful, and he walked his daughter down the aisle as planned. But, he paid a price for disregarding his symptoms for so long. His tumor had grown so large he had to undergo both chemotherapy and radiation to shrink it before surgery could be done. In fact, about half of all victims are women.
Family history is also important in the development of colon cancer.
Five percent of colon cancer patients have a genetic link to the disease from a first-degree relative like a mother or a brother. Pimentel and her siblings had no idea they were at special risk until was diagnosed. Besides family history, Pimentel was also at increased risk because of ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammation of the colon that requires daily medication. Even knowing that, she played Russian roulette with her health. Abdominal pain and frequent rectal bleeding finally forced Pimentel to go to the doctor, and cancer was found.