Dominique McShain was in her third year studying psychology, still feeling the buzz from a trip to Asia and awaiting her 21st birthday. Her social media painted a picture of youth with smiling photos, travel memories, and peeks of an optimistic future. But behind all of that, something was quietly going wrong.
She started feeling exhausted, the type of tiredness that won’t go away. Keeping her eyes open in class became a daily struggle, and even after sleeping eight hours, she would still need naps just to get through the day. She thought at first maybe she was jet-lagged from the trip or her stressful uni life catching up with her. But as time dragged on, the exhaustion didn’t get better, and by this point, other little warning signs started creeping in. She didn’t realize it, but her body was trying to tell her something big, and scary, was about to turn her whole world upside down.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
On May 3, 2024, Dominique told the world about her diagnosis in a TikTok video: she had incurable colorectal cancer, a disease that starts in the colon or rectum and can spread if not caught early. Her dreams of pursuing a career in clinical psychology were crushed. Instead of preparing for exams and planning her career, she had to leave university and start chemotherapy. Her doctors gave her one to five years to live. At that moment, her focus shifted, and she decided to set out to raise awareness to help others spot the early signs of this increasingly common illness.
The Alarming Rise of Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults
Colorectal cancer has always mainly been associated with older people, but in recent years, it’s been picked up in younger people at an unsettling rate. A 2023 report from the American Cancer Society revealed that 20% of colorectal cancer diagnoses in 2019 were in patients under 55, which is nearly double the rate seen in 1995. This caught many doctors off guard. For young adults, the idea of colorectal cancer often feels like something not to worry about for years to come. But that reality has quickly changed, and set in.
What makes this even more concerning to doctors is that younger people are often diagnosed only at later stages. Many dismiss early symptoms as small digestive issues or just a stressful lifestyle. By the time they seek medical attention, the cancer has often progressed, making treatment more difficult.
Read More: Woman with Stage 4 Cancer Shares 3 Overlooked Symptoms She Ignored
Recognizing the Symptoms: What Parents and Young Adults Need to Know
Young adults and parents should know these warning signs because finding out early can be life-saving. Dominique had many of these symptoms but, like most young people, didn’t think cancer at first.
- Unexplained Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired all the time and rest doesn’t fix it.
- Changes in Bowel Habits: Constipation that lasts or diarrhea that won’t stop. Sometimes it’s both.
- Abdominal Pain or Cramping: stomach pains or strong cramps, and there’s no clear reason for it.
- Blood in Stool: Even a little blood in bowel movements calls for a doctor’s visit right away.
- Unintentional Weight Loss: Dropping weight without a diet or exercise change.
- Loss of Appetite: A sudden disinterest in food, especially when paired with other symptoms mentioned here.
Why Early Detection Matters
The key to battling colorectal cancer is catching it early. The sooner the better the odds of successful treatment will be. Many younger patients often mistake their symptoms for issues like irritable bowel syndrome or stress-related stomach issues.
Breaking the Stigma Let’s Talk About Digestive Health
One major barrier is the embarrassment of discussing bowel health. Many young people shy away from mentioning symptoms. Parents and older adults can help by encouraging their children to talk about their health and to seek healthcare when something is off.
Raising Awareness to Save Lives
Dominique’s bravery in sharing her journey with colorectal cancer reminds us that cancer doesn’t care about age. Young adults, parents, and doctors must acknowledge this growing risk and take symptoms seriously.
What You Can Do
- Pay Attention to Symptoms: Don’t ignore unusual digestive problems or long-lasting exhaustion in yourself or your child.
- Push for Medical Tests: If a doctor downplays symptoms that won’t go away, insist on further tests.
- Talk About It: Make bowel health talks normal to remove the stigma and boost early detection of it.
- Live a Healthy Lifestyle: While not every case can be prevented, a fiber-rich diet, regular exercise, and cutting back on processed foods can lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
Dominique’s story is heartbreaking, yet it delivers a crucial message: awareness and quick action can save lives. As parents, caregivers, and young adults, we need to stay informed and proactive about our health. If you spot ongoing changes in your body, trust your gut and see a doctor.
Let’s Work Together
Dominique’s story breaks your heart, but it also hits you with a big wake-up call. Cancer doesn’t care about your age, and we shouldn’t either when it comes to listening to our bodies. Young people too often shrug off weird symptoms, thinking, “It’s probably nothing. I’m too young for it to be serious.” Sometimes doctors do the same, blaming it on stress, a bad diet, or just feeling worn out. The truth is, colorectal cancer is popping up in young adults way more than it used to, and spotting it early can literally be the difference between making it or not.
If something feels off, don’t just let it slide. Say something. Ask questions. Keep pushing until you get answers. Nobody should feel awkward talking about their health, and nobody should have to battle alone just to figure out what’s wrong. Dominique’s future didn’t go the way she dreamed, but she’s speaking out to help others get a real shot. The best way to respect her bravery is to take her story to heart, because the more we talk about it, the more we understand, and the more people we can save.