Fitness influencer Maria Kang opens up about cancer diagnosis

The post quickly racked up 16 million views and sparked infinite anger from women outraged at what they perceived as a body-shaming attack. Kang was called obnoxious, a bully and an idiot. But it only fueled her fire and catapulted her into years of fast-paced health and wellness entrepreneurship – she owns a Collection of nursing homesleads the organizations Fitness without limits And No excuses, mom (with spin-offs included calendar and a Book) and has recently turn into a Breathwork Teacher. And the media moments continued as she spoke openly about every thing Removal of her breast implants to the dissolution of their marriage.

Now she’s speaking out about a vital update in her life: She’s been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

“I thought I would never talk about it,” Kang, 43, tells Fortune (though she did share the news on ). social media and also you Blog). “But I want to raise awareness that it can happen to anyone… I was the symbol of health and wellness.”

She says she believed for a 12 months that her digestive problems, anemia and abdominal pain were symptoms of something benign like hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and he or she doesn’t want others to make the identical mistake. When her doctor discovered she had low iron levels, he ordered a CT scan, which showed a mass. A colonoscopy and biopsy confirmed it was cancer that had already spread to a lymph node, making it stage 4.

“You undergo a variety of emotions, and there was an element like, ‘Why me?’ I did every thing. I meditate. I’m not indignant with anyone. You begin to get indignant… but then you definitely realize you’re not alone.”

In fact, that is truer than ever, as colorectal cancer rates are rising rapidly in people under 50, while rates are falling in people over 65, in response to a report the study published American Cancer Society published in January. (According to just-released data, rates have even increased amongst children and teenagers.)

“We don’t know exactly what is causing this increase in colon cancer cases in young people,” says Dr. James McCormick, system director of colon and rectal surgery at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, told Fortune. “Although there are people who have a genetic predisposition to developing colorectal cancer, that does not explain the present situation. This must be caused by some environmental, dietary or lifestyle factors – or perhaps most likely a combination of all three.” This also includes the air we breathe and the water we drink, he says, adding that Known risk factors include “all features of a Western diet,” resembling high consumption of animal fats and processed meats and low consumption of fiber, in addition to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

So what about Kang and others like her?

“However, it is important to note that I have seen many young patients come into my practice reporting that they eat healthily and maintain a very active lifestyle and a healthy weight, but despite these intentional efforts in their 20s and 30s years ago with colon cancer,” says McCormick.

In other words, it will probably be a crapshoot.

Understanding colon cancer symptoms

The list of symptoms typically attributed to colon cancer, says McCormick, “include a change in your bowel habits, bleeding, fatigue, abdominal pain, bloating or unintentional weight loss.” Bleeding and anemia – each of which Kang suffered – in addition to unintentional weight reduction, he adds. “always need to be examined.”

As for the opposite signs, it’s true that many individuals experience stomach pain, bloating and fatigue and attribute this to irritable bowel syndrome or other harmless causes. But while 20 years ago doctors could easily make diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids in healthy young people despite the fact that there was no family history of colon cancer, “not anymore,” he says, because the incidence in that group has doubled during that point.

“Be careful,” advises McCormick. “You can’t diagnose hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome at home based on descriptions on the internet. The truth is that irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion – meaning we can’t make the diagnosis without ruling out more threatening diagnoses – and the things we rule out are things like colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.”

So when is it necessary to get checked? In addition to bleeding, anemia and unintentional weight reduction, he advises: “I think the most important differentiator is change – change in bowel habits, change in pain, change in bloating and persistent fatigue.” Pay attention to what’s “normal” for you, and Notice if this changes.” If it persists for greater than a couple of weeks, get checked out, he recommends, and demand on a colonoscopy.

Get prevention under control

Preventative colonoscopies, that are currently beneficial to start at age 45 unless there are major risk aspects or symptoms, are the “gold standard,” McCormick said, because they permit for the removal of precancerous lesions and may nip the event of cancer within the bud. But alternatives, including stool testing in the shape of a FIT test or Cologuardare great options – so long as you get a colonoscopy if the result’s positive. “But the most important thing is that people do something for the demonstration,” he says.

Another doctor’s advice is to deal with what you may have control over: eat a high-fiber weight-reduction plan with a lot of fresh fruit and green leafy vegetables; Minimize red and processed meats and alcohol; For protein sources, keep on with nuts, seeds, legumes, fish and chicken; Do half-hour of exercise not less than 4 to five times per week. maintain a healthy weight; Know your body and be alert. “Don’t ignore the symptoms and insist on a colonoscopy,” he emphasizes, “regardless of age.”

Kang supports that — and adds a little bit of her own wisdom, too.

“One in two women will get cancer, and we consistently think, ‘If I do that, if I do this, I won’t get it.’ But sometimes it doesn’t matter how young or healthy you might be,” she says. “I don’t want to create fear, I want to create awareness that it is possible. That’s why I want everyone to live their best life, to be joyful and happy. Live the life you want to live today.”

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