Candace Tucker’s Fight Against Colorectal Cancer

Candace Tucker often thought about cancer, influenced by her family’s history. Her grandfather had prostate cancer, her grandmother breast cancer, and her aunt pancreatic cancer. Living in a small Texas town, Tucker worked in an oncology practice, constantly surrounded by cancer patients and doctors.

In September 2025, Tucker noticed strange bowel movements and slight blood in her stool. Busy with work and caring for her 7-year-old grandson, she dismissed these symptoms, attributing them to her new high-fiber diet. However, persistent mild discomfort led Tucker to seek medical attention. After a colonoscopy, she received a devastating diagnosis: Stage II rectal cancer.

Tucker, 41, was overwhelmed by the news. She had to balance fear and strength for her family, trying to prevent them from being scared. Immediately, she began treatment under Dr. Bradley Scott Colton, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Texas Oncology. Tests revealed she needed chemotherapy, surgery, and possibly radiation.

“It was overwhelming,” Tucker said. Despite the daunting treatment, she focused on maintaining normalcy for her grandson. “It’s important to have normalcy,” she insisted.

Colton emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms early. Many patients, particularly younger ones, overlook lasting changes in bowel habits, which can signal colorectal cancer. Any persistent symptoms should prompt a visit to a gastroenterologist. Along with rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss and changes in stool color or consistency are warning signs.

Dr. Arif Kamal from the American Cancer Society highlighted the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in individuals aged 20 to 49. Though the exact cause is elusive, factors like diet, lifestyle, family history, and obesity may contribute.

Tucker hopes her story will reduce the stigma surrounding colorectal cancer. She discovered her family history with the disease only after her diagnosis. “Maybe I would have been more cautious,” she reflected. She aims to raise awareness and encourages openness in discourse about the disease.

“I’m excited to get all this done and to have this in the past,” Tucker expressed optimism for a cancer-free future.