Advocacy & Awareness Group

Myth or Fact- You should avoid exercise during cancer treatment.

What have you heard and what’s one gentle movement that’s helped you (even a short walk or stretching)?

Collectively we're advocating for a cure for Colon Cancer and for medications that are affordable and accessible for everyone. Too many patients and families face impossible choices because of high drug costs, insurance barriers, and delays in care.

Question for the group: What’s one change you want to see most- more research funding for a cure, lower medication prices, or better access to screening and treatment?

Going into an appointment can feel overwhelming when you’re navigating Colon Cancer. Bringing a few grounded, advocacy focused questions can help you feel more in control and supported.

Here are a few questions we put together that you can ask your doctor:

1. Can you explain my diagnosis and stage in plain language and what it means for my next 30–90 days?

2. What are my treatment options, and what’s the goal of each one (cure, control, symptom relief)?

3. What side effects should I expect, and what can we do ahead of time to manage them?

4. What symptoms are urgent? what should I look out for that could send me to the ER vs. a call to the office?

Lets talk about Awareness: How your mind, body, and emotional state can shift after a Colon Cancer diagnosis.

A colon cancer diagnosis can change everything- often all at once. Many people notice transitions in these three areas:

Mind: racing thoughts, information overload, difficulty concentrating, fear of the unknown, and a constant “what’s next?” loop.

Body: fatigue, appetite changes, sleep disruption, pain or discomfort, and the physical impact of tests, treatment, and recovery.

Emotional state: shock, grief, anger, anxiety, numbness, and moments of hope sometimes all in the same day. If you’re in this season, you’re not “overreacting”- you’re adapting. Your experience is real, and you don’t have to carry it alone.

Question: What changes did you notice first- mind, body, or emotions? What helped you feel grounded?