March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. For me, it is personal.
I’m a public health and behavioral science researcher. I study cancer disparities and the human behaviors that shape who gets screened and who doesn’t. I analyze data, publish papers and speak across the globe about prevention and early detection. I tell people that colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most preventable, beatable and treatable cancers when caught early.
CRC is not an abstract disease for me. When my Aunt Joann was misdiagnosed several times at age 52 and later diagnosed with Stage 4 CRC, it changed the trajectory of my family and ultimately defined the focus of my career.
After she was diagnosed, everything changed.
My Aunt Joann was my godmom and the kind of person who made people feel seen. She was warm, strong and very rooted in family. She showed up for people without needing recognition. That was simply who she was. Growing up, she was a steady presence in my life, someone who embodied both resilience and care.
