Woman Diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer After Routine Colonoscopy
Shambi Broome, a 45-year-old woman from Columbia, South Carolina, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer following a routine colonoscopy. Initially experiencing mild abdominal cramps, Broome attributed these to past surgeries and did not suspect cancer. The colonoscopy, recommended due to updated screening guidelines lowering the age from 50 to 45, revealed a tumor too large to be removed during the procedure. Subsequent surgery confirmed the cancer diagnosis, and further tests showed it had spread to her lymph nodes, necessitating chemotherapy. Broome's treatment was complicated by a COVID-19 infection, which delayed her surgery and exacerbated side effects. Despite these challenges, she continued to manage her web agency and nonprofit work throughout her treatment.