“Be proactive, advocate for yourself and get screened!” Loni’s colorectal cancer story
Loni Paulsen is a stage 3 colorectal cancer survivor who has since turned her experience with cancer into an advocacy mission. She works with several mission-focused nonprofits and shares her story openly on social media to encourage others to take cancer prevention and early detection seriously.
In June 2023, I was 39 years old and experiencing persistent symptoms of bloating, stomach pain, blood in my stool, extreme exhaustion and weakness. Even after months of being told these were just signs of bad gut health caused by stress and hemorrhoids, I kept advocating for myself and searching for answers.
Finally, I shared my concerns with a close friend in October 2023 who connected me to another health care provider to get a second opinion. This doctor truly listened to my concerns and scheduled me for a colonoscopy based on my symptoms, followed by a rectal ultrasound.
こちらもご覧ください | 5 colonoscopy prep tips to make it easier
After both procedures were complete, I woke up to life-altering news: I had stage 3 rectal cancer. I received this diagnosis in November 2023, just a few months after my 40th birthday and 7 months after I had first begun experiencing symptoms.
Rectal cancer is a type of 大腸がん that starts in the rectum (the last few inches of the large intestine). Colorectal cancer rates are rapidly rising in younger people, and it is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50.
Current guidelines recommend people at average risk start getting screened for colorectal cancer at age 45, and earlier for those at increased risk. Even though I was younger than the typical screening age, I needed to get screened because of my symptoms—and had I not gotten checked when I did, my diagnosis likely would have been much more severe.
Although I was surrounded by my husband, daughter and friends during treatment, I felt lonely. Most of my friends didn’t know how to react or what to say, and sadly, this led to us losing touch.
While this overall experience was extremely difficult and heartbreaking, the hardest part has been the post-cancer journey. Healing isn’t linear, and I’m still learning, growing and recovering every day.
My hope is that by sharing my story, I can help prevent other young adults—including my daughter—from going through what I did. It’s critical to be proactive, advocate for yourself and get screened!
Sometimes it can be difficult to put yourself first, but that’s not the whole picture. Not only does putting yourself first mean taking care of your health, but it also directly prioritizes the well-being of your loved ones by allowing you to be healthy and present.
RELATED | ‘Do I really need this?’ How a recommended colonoscopy changed Craig’s life
My purpose is teaching others what I’ve learned: Be proactive, advocate, prevent cancer and save lives! My message to others is to turn anger into action—you cannot fight change without change.
Now, I share my cancer journey, recovery and advocacy online across my social media platforms. I work with great organizations, nonprofits and brands such as Stupid Cancer, The After Cancer, Colorectal Cancer Coalition and Fight Colorectal Cancer, (as a 2026-2027 Ambassador). My advocacy also extends to attending and hosting special events as well as speaking engagements.
While this isn’t the future I had planned for myself, I now can’t see it going any other way. I am strong and made for more! I have work to do to help bring awareness to others and to help change and save lives.
Colorectal cancer can affect anyone. もっと詳しく知る about the signs and symptoms to look out for and find out more about screening options and when to start.