Utah surgeon diagnosed with colon cancer urges others to get screened

OGDEN — At 47 years old, orthopedic surgeon Todd Grunander never expected to hear the word cancer.

He had been dealing with extreme fatigue and stomach issues, which he initially attributed to food poisoning.

"I'd had another episode of the flu, wasn't feeling good," he said. "I came up with every excuse in the book to not get my colonoscopy."

When his symptoms worsened, doctors did a CT scan and discovered a tumor: stage 3 colon cancer.

"That was a very tough discussion to have with our kids," Grunander said.

The diagnosis came just three years after the family lost their daughter, Grace, to a heart condition.

"Having lost their sister, it was extremely traumatizing and terrible for them to think that they might have to face another loss," said Todd's wife, Megan, who is a general surgeon. "Don't think that cancer won't ever affect you, because we're living proof of it — we had no reason to think it would affect us and affect Todd."

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for men and women under 50. About 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime. Rates are also rising among adults under 50, which is why screening is now recommended starting at age 45.

"If you have a colon, you're at risk for getting colon cancer," said Dr. Kyle Eliason, a gastroenterologist at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden.

Symptoms of colon cancer can include rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, anemia, changes in bowel movements and lower abdominal pain.

Risk factors include being 45 or older, having a family history of the disease, a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and certain genetic syndromes like Lynch syndrome. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, a diet high in red or processed meats and heavy alcohol use can also increase risk.

However, about 75% of colon cancers are considered "sporadic," meaning they occur in people with no family history — which is why doctors say screening is important for everyone.

"The biggest risk factor for developing colon cancer is failure to get screened," Eliason said. "What you go through to get ready for the colonoscopy is much easier than going through a colon cancer surgery and chemotherapy."

During a colonoscopy, doctors can examine the colon and remove any polyps before they turn into cancer — making it both a screening and preventative tool.

When colon cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is about 90%, according to the American Cancer Society.

After surgery and chemotherapy, Grunander is finally feeling healthier.

"I feel better than I have in years," he said.

But he wants everyone to do what he wishes he had done earlier.

"Get a colonoscopy — even if you have no symptoms," he said. "It saves lives."

Colon cancer screening is recommended beginning at age 45 or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer. Most insurance plans cover the procedure.

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