A Patient’s Journey With Colon Cancer and Her Advocacy Mission

Melissa Ursini, 37, of Santa Clarita, California, experienced sudden lower abdominal pains in January 2021 that escalated to unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, blood in her stool and frequent vomiting, according to City of Hope. Initially, she believed the symptoms were due to a food allergy or a women’s health issue.

Despite visits to a gynecologist and gastroenterologist, who conducted tests including a Pap smear, bladder ultrasound and bloodwork, Ursini was sent home with no clear diagnosis. Her symptoms worsened over the next six months, during which time she made frequent trips to the emergency room. Doctors initially suggested she might have a parasite or a sexually transmitted disease, prescribing antibiotics without success.

After vomiting fecal matter, her brother-in-law, who is an emergency room nurse, urged her to visit an ER that was an hour away, where a CT scan revealed an obstruction in her left descending colon. Doctors informed her that a mass was obstructing her colon, and while she initially thought something was simply stuck, she soon realized it was likely cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed after surgery, which removed the tumor, 7 inches of her colon, and 53 surrounding lymph nodes. Ursini was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer, with all lymph nodes testing negative. Genetic testing showed no genetic markers, despite a family history of colon cancer.

In July 2021, Ursini chose City of Hope for treatment, impressed by Dr. Marwan Fakih's care. Fakih is a professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, co-directs the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program and is the Judy and Bernard Briskin Distinguished Director of Clinical Research. Fakih recommended a three-month chemotherapy plan with oxaliplatin and capecitabine.

As we observe Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Ursini encourages others to seek timely screenings, emphasizing the importance of early detection. In a video interview with CURE, she said if she can encourage just one person to get a colonoscopy and save their life, then she has done her job. "It's all about making a difference in one person's life," she said. "I don't do this for fame or glory. I do it to raise awareness and help people save themselves before it’s too late."

Transcript:

Honestly, I think people should listen to their bodies. You're the main person. No one can feel what you feel, and you've got to be grateful. I'm so grateful for the body I'm in. I'm 41 years old now. I'm healthy. I just took a pilates class, and I think if I was listening and paying more attention to my body three or four years ago, things might have been caught. But you also need to be graceful with yourself. Things may not be moving along as fast as you'd like, but to have grace and just try to find those people that could help you, find that group of people, find a hospital or a cancer center or whatever that's going to be your advocate with you, and really go from there. And even you need help reaching out to people, and people can help, redirect you someplace.

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