Candace Tucker’s Battle with Cancer

Candace Tucker often found herself contemplating cancer, a topic very close to her heart. Her family had faced several daunting diagnoses over the years, including her grandfather’s prostate cancer, her grandmother’s breast cancer, and her aunt’s pancreatic cancer. In her small Texas town, Tucker worked at an oncology practice, interacting daily with patients and doctors alike.

Yet, when she experienced unusual bowel movements and noticed a small amount of blood in her stool in September 2025, she didn’t think much of it. Life was hectic; she was busy at work, caring for her 7-year-old grandson, and cheering for him at baseball games. She had recently started eating more fiber, attributing her symptoms to that change.

After a few months of mild discomfort and some episodes of blood, Tucker began to suspect something more serious was happening. She underwent a colonoscopy, and while the doctor mentioned it looked like cancer, he cautioned that a verdict wasn’t definitive yet. A week later, the pathology results confirmed her worst fears: she was diagnosed with Stage II rectal cancer.

“I was terrified. I couldn’t believe it,” the 41-year-old Tucker recalled. “Your mind goes to the worst possible scenario. I was crying. I reached out to my mother-in-law right away. My husband and grandson were there, and I tried to stay strong for them, but that was tough.”

“As Aggressive as We Can Be”

Tucker promptly began treatment with Dr. Bradley Scott Colton, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Texas Oncology. He collected tumor samples for DNA testing to check for mutations. The results indicated she would require chemotherapy, surgery, and possibly radiation. Learning about the intensity of her treatment plan was “a little bit overwhelming,” Tucker admitted.

When she spoke with CBS News, Tucker was about a third of the way through her chemotherapy treatment. She receives treatment biweekly, and once completed, Dr. Colton plans to run further tests to establish the next steps. “The next moves will depend on how she responds, how well she tolerates it, and her lab results. We’re definitely aiming to be as aggressive as possible,” Colton remarked, adding that Tucker has been a “dream patient” so far.

On most days, Tucker finds the chemotherapy “not as bad as she had anticipated.” Her main focus has been on providing a sense of normalcy for her grandson. “I feel like that’s crucial,” she shared. “I told my husband it doesn’t matter if I don’t feel well or I’m tired. I’m going to be present for everything.”

Recognizing Symptoms and Warning Signs

Dr. Colton emphasized that many patients, especially younger individuals, often overlook the symptoms of colorectal cancer. He urged anyone experiencing prolonged, unexplained bowel changes to seek medical advice quickly. “If you have an upset stomach from bad food and experience diarrhea or strange bowel patterns for a week, that’s usually fine. But if it doesn’t resolve after a week or so, see a GI doctor,” Colton said. Even if it’s not colorectal cancer, it could point to another gastrointestinal issue that requires attention.

Dr. Megan Turley, a colon and rectal surgeon at Texas Oncology who isn’t directly involved in Tucker’s care, insisted any blood in the stool should be taken seriously. “Rectal bleeding isn’t normal. It doesn’t mean it’s always cancer, but it certainly should not be dismissed,” she advised. Other concerning signs can include lower abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and changes in stool color or consistency.

Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society, noted an increase in both colorectal cancer diagnoses and fatalities among people aged 20 to 49. Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death for those under 50. He mentioned potential reasons for this trend, including diet, lifestyle factors, family history, and obesity.

Challenging Stigmas

Tucker hopes that sharing her journey will help diminish the stigma associated with colorectal cancer. She was surprised to learn from her aunt that several relatives had faced similar health issues. “Maybe I would have paid more attention to my symptoms if I had known,” Tucker expressed. “It’s almost treated like a ‘dirty’ cancer. No one should feel ashamed about having cancer.”

She is committed to speaking openly about her diagnosis and hopes that high-profile stories, like those of actors James Van Der Beek and Catherine O’Hara, will bring further attention to the disease and its symptoms.

Most importantly, Tucker looks forward to finishing her treatment and living a cancer-free life. “I can’t wait to put this behind me,” she said with hope. “I know it will always be in my mind, but I’m eager to move forward.”