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“Please make sure that this doesn’t
happen to anyone else.”
This was one of the last requests of Courtney Anne Diacont whose
courageous fight against colorectal cancer ended just short of what would have been her graduation from high school.
Courtney’s story is one that should be read by every parent, counselor, medical care provider and grandparent so that
the early warning signs won’t be overlooked or dismissed as something insignificant.
Courtney was an athlete -- determined, competitive and active. Her only initial symptom was that she would faint once in a while when she had to stand still for any length of time. Looking back she had been ill for at least 10 months before her problem was taken seriously. After her first fainting episode she was taken to her pediatrician and other specialists. The diagnosis was that it was “teenage girl things.”
Courtney was an athlete -- determined, competitive and active. Her only initial symptom was that she would faint once in a while when she had to stand still for any length of time. Looking back she had been ill for at least 10 months before her problem was taken seriously. After her first fainting episode she was taken to her pediatrician and other specialists. The diagnosis was that it was “teenage girl things.”
Ten months after the initial fainting episode, she passed out while playing volleyball. This is the first time she passed
out while being active. When the doctor saw how pale she was he sent her for blood work. But once again, the real
problem was never considered. She was strong, had a good diet and recovered quickly from the unnoticed rectal bleeding.
It wasn’t until Courtney had a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) that she was sent for a colonoscopy and the cancer was
discovered. By this time it had spread to her lymph system and was attacking other organs.
Courtney was determined to handle the situation and to continue fighting. Had a FOBT been done sooner, maybe the cancer would have been caught and defeated. Colorectal cancer in children Courtney's age is not common, but it is a risk for everyone and this risk grows greater as we age. It is important to stay vigilant and take the necessary steps to screen for this potential killer during regular exams. An FOBT is relatively inexpensive and needs to be part of every physical exam, regardless of age. Positive results point the way to colonoscopies to prevent, treat and beat colorectal cancer.
Courtney was determined to handle the situation and to continue fighting. Had a FOBT been done sooner, maybe the cancer would have been caught and defeated. Colorectal cancer in children Courtney's age is not common, but it is a risk for everyone and this risk grows greater as we age. It is important to stay vigilant and take the necessary steps to screen for this potential killer during regular exams. An FOBT is relatively inexpensive and needs to be part of every physical exam, regardless of age. Positive results point the way to colonoscopies to prevent, treat and beat colorectal cancer.
COURTNEY ANNE DIACONT - 1988-2007 (18 Years, 6 Months, 7 Days)
Dedicated to saving lives
through early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.