Charlotte Woman’s Cancer Journey

In November 2023, Amy Reiss found herself feeling unusually tired and, perhaps somewhat out of sorts. At first, she suspected depression.

“It wasn’t the usual symptoms you hear about,” the 49-year-old recounted.

What she wasn’t aware of was that her body was signaling a more severe issue.

“The doctor told me I have cancer,” Reiss said. “I was totally shocked.”

Following a colonoscopy, doctors discovered a significant tumor, leading to a diagnosis of Stage 3C rectal cancer. Despite having a family history of the disease, Reiss had never anticipated she’d be facing such a diagnosis.

“My mom had colon cancer. She was 65 when she was diagnosed,” she explained. “She had Lynch Syndrome, a genetic condition. I kind of thought it was just a fluke that happened to her because she was older.”

Her battle involved a tough path filled with chemotherapy, radiation, and several surgeries.

“You constantly worry about dying, and you think about how it affects your family and loved ones,” Reiss expressed. “It was a mix of fear and guilt, and I was just trying to hold onto hope and optimism.”

Dr. Michael Dobson, a colorectal surgeon at Novant Health, noted that she faced each step of her treatment with determination.

“She’s incredibly resilient. She’s gone through an immense amount of treatment,” Dobson remarked.

Now cancer-free, Reiss has an important message for others.

“What I went through was a million times worse than the prep for a colonoscopy. I kept thinking if only I had done it a few years earlier, I might have avoided this,” she said.

“Early detection is crucial. If we can find issues before they develop into cancer, that’s a big win for everyone. That’s the goal of screenings to prevent colorectal cancer,” Dobson stated.

Medical professionals emphasize that early screening can indeed be life-saving. Colorectal cancer has become one of the top causes of cancer deaths among individuals under 55.

The American Cancer Society advises that those at average risk of developing colorectal cancer should begin regular screening at age 45.