Almost a decade ago, Jason Devison rushed to the emergency department after experiencing abdominal pain and rectal bleeding.
“I knew that there was something wrong, but I guess you’re always shocked, but I knew something was going on,” said Devison.
He was then referred to a specialist at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and scheduled for a colonoscopy.
“Unfortunately, there was a large tumor in his colon, and it was sufficiently big, actually, that I couldn’t even get my colonoscope through,” explained Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Michael Sey.
At 39, Devison was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He had the massive tumour surgically removed along with a portion of his large intestine where the tumour was located. Fortunately, he did not need chemotherapy, and today, he is cancer free.
As he approaches 50, Devison says he is speaking out about his experience in hopes of highlighting the importance of early screening.
“My results are somewhat encouraging for people to go out and get screened early, I think that’s the most important part. And so, we get around the stigma of, you know, the colonoscopy and everything else. I think that, you know, better outcomes and a healthier life,” said Devison.
Sey notes, due to early detection, there are fewer Canadians being diagnosed with this type of cancer, however, there is ongoing concern in terms of younger people getting colon cancer.
“In the past, we expected to see colon cancer in some people around 50, 60, 70, some 80s now we’ve seen them in young people. And Jason, Jason’s a perfect example, so there is a lot of research going on to try to better understand why this is and, the need to possibly adjust when we start screening people,” explained Sey.
Devison now volunteers at an annual, national fundraising run/walk event from Colorectal Cancer Canada called Push for Your Tush.
