How a Stage 4 Diagnosis at 38 Saved This Man’s Life

• Colorectal cancer is on the rise in people under 50 years old.
• One man shares his journey of being diagnosed at 38 and the importance of regular screenings.
• Colonoscopies can detect colorectal cancer early and save lives.

At 38 years old, William Lindley began experiencing stomach issues, including a constant urge to go to the bathroom.

“At the time, I was dipping tobacco and had been for several years…usually after I ate and I dip, I’d have to go to the restroom,” he told Healthline.

After a few months of consistent symptoms, he thought he might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, once his condition began interfering with his work as a police officer in Mississippi, he knew something more serious was happening.

“I worked on the interstate doing police work, and so I’d have to come off the road three or four times [during my shift] to go to the restroom, but when I tried, I couldn’t go. Then I started seeing blood in my stool,” said Lindley.

A foot of his colon was removed, and a colostomy bag was attached. A PET scan determined that his liver was affected, too. He traveled to MD Anderson in Texas, which could offer him more effective treatments, including chemotherapy.

“After four rounds of chemo, I took off a month before I had the liver resection, which they did robotically. They got all four spots [of cancer] and removed about 5% of the liver,” said Lindley.

A few months later, spots showed up on his lung, which required more chemotherapy and lung surgery in January 2025. Now, Lindley requires no further treatment, and he continues to follow up with his doctors.

“I feel great. I’m really blessed that my body’s been able to heal fast,” he said. “I’m ready to go back to working out.”

Now 41 years old, his perspective on life has changed, including his decision to not let work carry over into his personal life.

“I’ve always been a big family guy, but when my job is done, I make sure that I spend time with my family and not take things that I used to take so serious,” said Lindley.

“We can be stubborn. We don’t want to go get checked. We don’t want to say there’s a problem, we don’t want to deal with it,” he said. “At the time I was diagnosed, I had no idea that colorectal cancer was becoming an issue with younger and younger people. If I had seen a doctor sooner, maybe I would have been in stage 1.”

Sharing his story with friends and family has resulted in some of them getting screened with colonoscopy.

“A couple found a few polyps and got those removed before it became any kind of issue,” said Lindley.

The White House recently issued a statement stating that every year, 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Christine Parseghian, MD, associate professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, said there has been a steady decrease in the incidence of colorectal cancer in adults over the age of 50 in the last several decades.

“This is due in large part to changing patterns in risk factors, such as reductions in smoking, increased use of aspirin, and particularly the uptake of CRC screening [with] colonoscopies,” she told Healthline.

“The reasons are complex and not fully understood, but may include dietary changes, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predispositions,” said Parseghian. “Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and increased caloric intake progressively lead to the development of obesity — an established risk factor for early-onset CRC.”

Although cases of early-onset colorectal cancer more often have a genetic component, approximately 80% of newly diagnosed young-onset CRC patients do not have an inherited predisposition.

Lindley falls into this group. Because his mother lives with adenoid carcinoma and his grandmother died from pancreatic cancer, both he and his mother were genetically tested. Neither carry any known genes that put them at increased risk for cancer.

“[We] have many patients who live healthy lifestyles with no known genetic risk factors who are diagnosed at a young age and otherwise seem perfectly healthy,” said Parseghian.

More research is needed to determine the reasons for this. However, she said some researchers have found links to disruptions in the gut microbiome composition that may be caused by dietary changes or antibiotics. These disruptions could lead to inflammation and increased risk of several diseases, including colorectal cancer.

“Others have discovered that, as young-onset CRC tumors are often more aggressive, these cancers are more likely to suppress the body’s immune responses to cancer,” said Parseghian.

“We still have much to learn about the potential contributing factors in young-onset CRC, but progress is being made steadily with institutional research programs focused on young-onset CRC here at MDACC and other large academic centers across the world,” Parseghian said.

“Colonoscopies are the best way to prevent CRC. Parseghian mentioned that the increasing rates of colonoscopies have led to significant drops in the incidence of colorectal cancer among adults aged 50 and above. This is because colonoscopies can detect and remove pre-malignant polyps, reducing the risk of them developing into invasive cancer. In cases where tumors are found, early detection during a colonoscopy can make surgical removal easier and increase the chances of a cure. Despite the inconvenience of dietary changes and bowel preparation before a colonoscopy, it can prevent a lifetime of suffering.

To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and processed food intake, consuming less red meat and saturated fats, eating more fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Early-onset colorectal cancer may present with symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, changes in bowel habits, and rectal bleeding. It is important to note that painless bleeding could be an early sign of colorectal cancer, and individuals with symptoms of early-onset colorectal cancer may delay seeking medical help for several months.

If you experience any symptoms that could indicate colon cancer, regardless of your age, it is crucial to consult your doctor promptly. Parseghian emphasized the importance of raising awareness about this deadly disease, especially among young adults. It is essential to prioritize preventive screenings and early detection to combat colorectal cancer effectively.