A survivor tells her story

My name is Barb and I live and

work in the Everett, WA area.

This is the true story of my fight

with colon cancer. 

When I was 31, I had some issues with irregular bowel movements and bloating. My abdomen felt swollen and extended at times and then I started having some pressure type discomfort in my tailbone area, as well as discomfort during sex. So I went to my primary care doctor and he started tests, including a colonoscopy.

Within five days, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and admitted for surgery. After that healed, I had six weeks of radiation.

A colonoscopy is not done in the most fun area of the body and many people don't want to deal with it. But the prep is not that big of a deal and its much better than the alternative could be. I’ve had cancer surgery and two additional surgeries plus the effects from having radiation. All this has taken a toll on my body and it’s hard to imagine why someone would want to go through what I’ve gone through.

I come from a large family and since my cancer diagnosis, my entire family goes in for their colonoscopies. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer 5 years after me. I have brothers and sisters who have had polyps removed.

As a result of having colon cancer, I have multiple medical issues that sometimes make me feel much older than I am and I get frustrated at times.. The cancer, surgeries, and treatments have heavily impacted my body and the kind of life I live, but I am so thankful to be alive.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Get your colonoscopy and make sure that you’re cancer free.

A COLONOSCOPY SAVED MY LIFE!

It Could Save Yours, Too!

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and Western Washington Medical Group’s (WWMG) Gastroenterology Department and Endoscopy Center are getting the word out early this year and encouraging the public to get screened for colorectal cancer not only in March but all throughout the year.

Barbara Holmes-Erickson and Dr. Mu



When Barbara Holmes-Erickson was 45, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.  She was absolutely shocked that she could have it, but has been very grateful to Dr. Mu who found the disease.



"I am so glad that Dr. Mu of Western Washington Medical Group requested that I have a colonoscopy," she said, "At the age of 45, I thought I was too young to worry about colon cancer."

In fact, a colonoscopy is not a normal procedure for someone as young as Barbara.  "That procedure saved my life," Barbara continued. Ten years later, Barbara's cancer treatments are completed and she is now cancer free.  "If there is one thing I learned and can pass on, there are few symptoms. Schedule your colonoscopy today," she said. "The disease can be 100 percent curable if it is caught at an early stage and treated."



March 2nd is Dress in Blue Day



Colon cancer is the second largest killer among all cancers, and the third most common cancer.

The goals of a screening colonoscopy are to detect colon cancer at an early and curable stage, when there are no symptoms; and to prevent colon cancer by removing precancerous polyps.

Dr. Mu is one of eight gastroenterologists at Western Washington Medical Group's Gastroenterology Department. They perform over 4,000 colonoscopies each year at their Endoscopy Center in Silver Lake. The Center is the only Accredidation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) accredited Endoscopy unit in Snohomish County.  They are also an ASGE Recognized Endoscopy Unit.