As colorectal cancer rises among young men, silence remains deadly
By Junius Nottingham Jr.
*The views and opinions on this blog do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or values of MHN.
Most Americans have never heard of Lynch syndrome, but it is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer. As a result, it is also underdiagnosed – and with colorectal cancer on the rise in young adults, we cannot remain silent. I know better than anyone that silence can cost many lives.
My son Jeremy was a federal law enforcement officer. They were trained to be disciplined, resilient and tough. Like many men in uniform, he was taught to endure pain and avoid appearing vulnerable.
When Jeremy began experiencing rectal bleeding, whether he shrugged off his symptoms or the doctors failed to investigate deeply enough, I don’t know. what i to do Know that no one connected the dots so quickly. By the time Jeremy was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it was advanced. He died in 2021 at the age of just 31.
Colorectal cancer is now Leading cause of death due to cancer In men under 50. Since the mid-1990s, cases have increased 2% per annum Among adults aged 20 to 39. While researchers point out sedentary lifestyle And processed foodsI suspect that genetics may be part of the picture. About Lynch Syndrome Affects one in 300 American, Colorectal cancer risk increasing by 80%. And, it not only increases the risk of colorectal cancer; It is related to Cancer of the uterus, ovaries, stomach, and even the central nervous system. Since most people have never heard of it, they don’t know for sure they could have it.
It was only after Jeremy became seriously ill that we learned he had Lynch Syndrome. This meant that either my wife or I also had the disease. After we both got tested, my results came back positive.
In hindsight, the warning signs were there. My mother died of cancer at the age of 61. My grandmother and two aunts also died young, all from ovarian cancer. My brother passed away at age 50 from what doctors called Parkinson’s, but I now believe Lynch syndrome was attacking his central nervous system.
No one ever suggested our family get genetic testing. And, like many families, we never sat down to examine the pattern. We mourned each loss alone, rather than asking whether there was some genetic reason for it. Lynch syndrome, I have since learned, can manifest in ways that look nothing like cancer. If anyone in our family had been tested, that pattern would have been picked up. That silence was costly.
Women are active regarding their health, but men often do not do so. Especially in law enforcement, there is a culture of indifference: “Be a man,” don’t complain, don’t show weakness. I have seen colleagues suffer in silence. I’ve seen how this bravery discourages men from seeking help, whether it’s for mental health or physical symptoms.
I’m kind of an outsider. I regularly attend hereditary cancer webinars and conferences, but often, I am the only man in the room. And, personally, I’m very comfortable challenging doctors. But many men don’t push back, ask the tough questions, or demand genetic testing in the exam room. Cultural expectations of toughness are allowing men to fall through the cracks.
Strength is not ignoring pain. It’s getting tested, advocating for yourself, and doing everything you can to protect your family.
If there is a history of cancer in your family, talk about it. Don’t take this as a one-off. Connect the dots. Genetic testing can identify conditions such as Lynch syndrome long before cancer develops. If something feels wrong with your body, don’t minimize it. Persistent symptoms are worth checking. Men need to stop waiting until a crisis allows them to take care of their health.
Doctors also have a role to play. I tell doctors to treat every patient as if they were your own child. Don’t just check the boxes. Ask uncomfortable questions. Be thorough, especially with young people who may be reluctant to volunteer details. The increase in colorectal cancer in young adults demands a more aggressive approach to screening and genetic evaluation.
Since Jeremy’s death, I have become an advocate and speaker. work closely with organizations like Force (Strong in the Face of Cancer) And I’ve Created My Own non-profit Spreading awareness about Lynch Syndrome. And I live every day with the knowledge that I have passed this gene on to my son without even knowing it. This is a burden that no parent should have to bear. But I also live with this purpose: to ensure that other families do not suffer the same fate due to silence, stigma, or delayed care.
I want people, especially men, to take action. Talk to your families. examine. Advocate for yourself in exam rooms. Because harshness did not save my son. But speaking up and getting genetic testing could save your life.
About the author
Junius Nottingham Jr. is the founder and CEO and host of the nonprofit J-Not-GTT but god podcast, both of which were created to honor his son Jeremy. A retired federal law enforcement officer, he now devotes his time to volunteering and spreading awareness of Lynch Syndrome.
