Key Highlights
- Catherine O’Hara’s death from rectal cancer highlighted its prevalence among older adults.
- A BC woman who survived colorectal cancer sees potential for increased awareness through high-profile cases.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Canada, with a rising incidence rate among young adults.
- Screening and early detection can significantly improve survival rates for colorectal cancer.
The Silent Stigma of Colorectal Cancer
You might think this is new, but…
Catherine O’Hara’s passing has once again brought rectal cancer into the spotlight. Mary De Vera, a BC woman who fought through colorectal cancer, hopes that O’Hara’s death will spark more conversations about a disease often shrouded in silence.
The Impact of High-Profile Cases
When O’Hara was diagnosed with rectal cancer, she was 71. The news came as a shock to many, but for De Vera, it opened up the conversation on something that’s not typically discussed. “It’s a cancer below the waist and any time you have that, there is that shame and stigma,” she explained.
De Vera’s own journey began in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer at 36. She remembers feeling embarrassed about her diagnosis, unlike many older patients who might already be dealing with other health issues. “So I think now there’s that opening to that conversation on things that are not normally talked about.”
A Rising Concern: Younger Patients
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Canada, and its incidence among younger adults has been increasing since the early 2000s. BC Cancer reports that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in B.C., with an estimated 3,515 new diagnoses in 2026.
Health Canada notes that one in 14 men and one in 18 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Colorectal Cancer Canada states that screening can save lives by detecting non-cancerous polyps and cancer early, increasing the survival rate to more than 90% when detected at Stage 1 or 2.
How to Screen and What to Look For
A fecal immunochemical test is done every two years to test stool for hidden blood. If that comes back positive, then a colonoscopy is required. People with symptoms might have them investigated directly through a colonoscopy.
“It’s very treatable as long as it’s early,” says Dr.
Ted McAlister from the William Osler Health System. “Early colorectal cancer is usually treated with surgery and is cured most of the time if it’s in that situation. Then the more advanced it is, the more likely you are to need other treatments like chemotherapy and for rectal cancer radiation therapy.”
The writing on the wall is clear: we must talk about this disease. Whether through celebrity advocacy or public health campaigns, the goal remains the same—early detection and treatment. Let’s not let embarrassment stand in the way of our health.