My name is Thomas Horal, I’m 31 years old and have been living with cystic fibrosis since my diagnosis at the age of 5. 

My cancer journey started a year ago with a visit to the emergency room. It was late in the afternoon on what seemed like a normal day, when my stomach started to hurt really badly. I went to use the restroom and all that came out was blood. I got lightheaded and fainted. I then immediately called my sister to take me to the ER.  

The doctors ran a bunch of tests and were a bit stumped with my symptoms and test results. They said normally in this situation they would send me home to monitor symptoms but because I have CF, they wanted to run a few more tests & scans. I had just learned about my increased risk for colon cancer at CFRI’s CF Adult Retreat a week prior so I asked if they could also perform a colonoscopy and luckily, the doctors were receptive and agreed.  

I was admitted to the hospital and within a day of having started the bowel prep, I was sent down for my first colonoscopy. A few days after the procedure, I finally got the news confirming I have Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Within a couple weeks of my new diagnosis, I had met with my new oncology Team, agreed upon an aggressive treatment plan and started Chemotherapy.  

The scary thing was I didn’t really have any symptoms prior to having to go to the emergency room. A week or so before I was having some stomach pains which I presumed to be CF gut related issues – like not taking enough enzymes or just eating something that was bad. Unfortunately, I didn’t experience any other symptoms that could have alerted me sooner to what was going on in my body.  

With all the procedures I’ve had dealing with CF, having a colonoscopy was one of the least scary and painless things I’ve had to undergo. The prep process entails having to drink a bunch of special liquid to help clear out your bowels (which is probably the worst part of the whole process). Then at the clinic or hospital you will most likely be put under some type of anesthesia, which will leave you feeling like you had a nice long restful nap, and that’s pretty much it. I’d say if you’re nervous about getting a colonoscopy, don’t be – having cancer is way worse and far more scary.  

If you’re reading this article, I hope you take away how important it is to advocate for yourself and get a colonoscopy as early as you can. Colorectal cancer is preventable with early screenings. The thought of cancer can be difficult—no one wants that diagnosis—but it’s better to find it while it’s easily treatable than before it gets a chance to spread to stage 4, Of course, the best outcome is there’s nothing found; by getting tested you can know.  

Learn more about the link between colon cancer & cystic fibrosis by visiting www.cfri.org/colon-cancer.