David Lyon’s Cancer Journey

When David Lyon noticed blood in his stool, it didn’t strike him as a serious issue. Being a healthy 26-year-old who worked in a sheet metal shop, he thought perhaps it was just a minor injury from work. The spots were sporadic, so he shrugged it off at first.

However, as time passed, Lyon couldn’t ignore the pain he felt, especially when standing up. The discomfort intensified, forcing him to bend over for relief. In July 2021, he visited an emergency room in Erie, Pennsylvania, and a doctor advised him to get a colonoscopy.

“As a 26-year-old, I thought, ‘Great, my first colonoscopy, just what I needed,'” Lyon remarked, clearly sarcastic.

Three days later, he found out he had Stage IV colorectal cancer that had already spread to his liver. His immediate reaction? Anger.

“I stood up, threw my hat against the wall, and just walked outside, feeling overwhelmed,” he recalled. “I was seeing red, to say the least.”

Once he calmed down, Lyon opted for aggressive treatment but chose not to find out his survival odds. He explicitly requested that his doctors and mother keep those details from him. Typically, the five-year survival rate for individuals with advanced colorectal cancer ranges from 13% to 18%, according to the American Cancer Society.

“I didn’t want to know specifics or timelines. I was turning 27 that year, and I thought, ‘I’m still going to live my life.’ Sure, I would listen to doctors and attend appointments, but I wanted to continue being myself,” Lyon said.

Colon Cancer in Young Adults

Lyon is part of a growing trend of younger adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Dr. Arif Kamal, the chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society, noted an annual rise in cases and deaths among those aged 20 to 49. There’s been about a 3% increase per year, with colorectal cancer now being the leading cancer-related cause of death in individuals under 50, Kamal reported. He wasn’t directly involved in Lyon’s treatment.

The rise in cases is perplexing, according to Kamal. While there’s no specific cause identified, diet, lifestyle, family history, and obesity are suspected factors. The number of aggressive cases is also increasing.

Young individuals should be particularly mindful of symptoms, Kamal suggested. Dr. Megan Turley, a colon and rectal surgeon at Texas Oncology, emphasized that blood in the stool is a significant warning sign.

“Rectal bleeding isn’t normal. It’s not always cancer, but it’s also not something to ignore,” Turley noted, adding other symptoms like abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits, which should prompt a visit to a gastrointestinal doctor.

Undergoing Aggressive Treatment

Ten days after his diagnosis, Lyon began a rigorous chemotherapy regimen that lasted three years, as described by Dr. Bassam Estefan, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Cleveland Clinic. He also had surgery in July 2022 to remove the cancer from his colon. Despite the treatment making him feel ill at times, he tried to maintain some normalcy in his life.

“I didn’t make many changes. One of the big things was I kept playing hockey and going to the gym. I only missed one hockey game during chemo,” Lyon said.

Treating the liver, where the cancer had spread, proved challenging. Estefan utilized both chemotherapy and a procedure called radioembolization, but the cancer persisted. Ultimately, a full liver transplant was considered an option.

This option had recently become available for colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. A 2024 study indicated that patients like Lyon who received liver transplants “live far longer” than those who do not. In August 2024, he underwent the transplant surgery.

“Just Talk to Your Doctor”

Eighteen months post-transplant, Lyon remains cancer-free and is among the few patients who exceed five years after being diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer. Recently, he discovered just how dire his situation had been.

“My mom told me one doctor said I had about a 10% chance of survival. Another suggested 24 to 36 months to live,” Lyon said. “Realizing I’m here five years later is surreal.”

Lyon continues regular follow-up care at the Cleveland Clinic, where his doctors monitor for any signs of recurrence and check on the function of his new liver.

The support he received throughout his cancer journey motivates him to give back. He regularly donates a portion of his online streaming proceeds to charity and raises awareness for colon cancer among young people. “I was 26 years old. You never think about needing a colonoscopy. If sharing my story helps others feel more comfortable getting checked, it’s worth it,” Lyon expressed. “For the love of God, just talk to your doctor about it.”