“It All Seemed to Come About Very Quickly.” Chadwick Boseman’s Widow on His Cancer Journey – BlackDoctor

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Chadwick Boseman’s death took many people by surprise in August 2020. The much-loved actor had been active in several movies and had kept his fight with colon cancer private. Years later, his widow, Simone Ledward Boseman, has opened up about what it was like for them. While their journey was personal, it holds an important message for Black men everywhere.

Boseman’s Journey With Colon Cancer

It’s been almost six years since Chadwick Boseman’s death, and his widow opened up about his battle with colon cancer. When talking to Today, Simone Ledward Boseman noted that the diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer surprised both of them in 2016. At that time, Boseman had been to the doctor twice before talking to his wife. Even then, it was only a matter of weeks before he started to experience the characteristic symptoms of the condition.

Before seeing the doctor, Ledward Boseman said her husband hadn’t considered getting a colonoscopy because he was young. He would have been 39 or 40 at the time, so it isn’t surprising that he didn’t think he was old enough for colon cancer screening. Still, Boseman took his doctors’ recommendations of surgery and chemotherapy. In 2018, he was found to be cancer-free.

Unfortunately, the reprieve from colon cancer was brief. By the end of that same year, the illness returned. This time, it was at stage 4, and Boseman had far fewer options for treatment. Though they tried to get the disease back under control, they didn’t succeed, and the actor died in 2020.

The Importance of Colonoscopies for Black Men

Screening is typically advised for people who are at risk of developing colon cancer, and it’s recommended for those who haven’t started to show symptoms of the illness. Colonoscopies are an essential part of catching colon cancer at its earliest stages. During this procedure, a doctor uses a device to visually inspect your colon for any abnormalities. While there are alternatives to a colonoscopy, they may not be as accurate for identifying growths like polyps. The tests may also give a false positive.

Although you can develop colon cancer at any age, the criteria for screening usually state that you should be at least 45 if you’re at average risk. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), you’re at average risk if you don’t have a history of polyps, colorectal cancer, digestive disorders, or radiation therapy. Persons who have a history of those issues are considered to be high risk and should be screened before age 45. They’re also expected to be screened more regularly.

Unfortunately, many Black men aren’t aware that being African American also places them in the category of being high risk. Statistics show that they’re 20 percent more likely to develop colon cancer and 30 percent more likely to die from the disease. Black men are also being diagnosed with the condition at younger ages than other ethnicities. The factors that lead to these outcomes vary but can include environmental toxins, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyles, and poor access to proper healthcare. You’re also less likely to know about your increased risk because doctors often don’t educate Black patients about this issue. Much like Chadwick Boseman, many Black Americans get a late-stage diagnosis when they finally see a doctor.

As Ledward Boseman notes in her interview, her husband thought he was too young to need screening for colon cancer because he wasn’t yet 45. Even then, he was unaware if anyone in his family had the disease, which would have made him high-risk. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for Black men to keep their illnesses under wraps so their medical history may be a mystery to their loved ones.

Even if you’re not sure about your family’s medical history, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You need to talk to your doctor about regular screenings, regardless of your age, and pay attention to any changes in your body.

You can also tweak your habits to ensure that your digestive system is healthy. Doctors recommend maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, staying away from cigarettes, and drinking alcohol rarely, if at all. When it comes to your diet, it’s a good idea to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats.

Early Symptoms of Colon Cancer

One of the issues with colon cancer is that the earliest stages may not have symptoms. Additionally, if you have symptoms, you may not think that they’re a sign that something is significantly wrong. It’s surprisingly easy to dismiss them as ‘tummy issues’. Since the tumors related to colon cancer usually grow in the large intestine, early symptoms may disrupt digestion and how your body processes waste.

You may feel chronic fatigue and lose weight even though you’re not trying. These issues usually happen because the tumors interfere with how your body absorbs the nutrients it needs to thrive. Although these changes may seem slight at first, they worsen over time. Sleeping well or eating more won’t make a difference.

You may also see changes in your stool. Bloody bowel movements can range from appearing red or black because of bleeding from the rectum or tumors. Your stool may also be narrow because it’s being forced past a blockage in your intestines. When you go to the bathroom, it may feel as if you haven’t completely emptied your bowels, and it’s not uncommon to have cycles of constipation and diarrhea.

Another early symptom of colon cancer is feeling full all the time. This feeling may or may not affect how much you eat. Additionally, people with colon cancer sometimes note having abdominal cramps that they can’t explain.

As the cancer develops, the symptoms will worsen to become more severe. At this point, it will be clear that you need to see a doctor if you haven’t already. The key is to consult with your doctor long before this happens. This is why screening is a necessity.

Tips for Talking to Your Doctor About Screening

Colon cancer is one of the illnesses where doctors emphasize regular screenings. If you don’t have discernible symptoms and you’re under 45, your doctor may have reservations about referring you for a screening. That’s why it’s essential to know how to state your case. The key is to highlight any risk factors that would increase the likelihood of you developing colon cancer.

Black men have a greater risk of developing colon cancer regardless of their age. Although doctors have an idea of why the risk is greater for Black men, they still haven’t identified why people have started to develop the illness at younger ages.

You should also point out if you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer. Other chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease (IBD), familial adenomatous polyposis, and Lynch syndrome can also increase your risk. If you’ve ever had colon polyps, that’s also a factor.

Your diet and lifestyle can also play a role in your risk of developing colon cancer. For example, eating foods that are low in fiber but high in bad fat, added sugar, processed ingredients, and calories can be a problem. The same is true if you don’t exercise regularly, are overweight, smoke, or drink alcohol excessively.

Finally, if you’ve undergone radiation therapy treatment for another illness and it was directed at your abdomen, you may be at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.

While having these risk factors won’t guarantee that you’ll have colon cancer, it should be enough to show your doctor that you need early and regular screening. If they aren’t listening to you, then it’s time to find a new doctor so you can get the care you deserve.

Although Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer was unexpected by many, all Black men should be aware of their greater risk of developing the illness. The only way to ensure that you catch the disease before it progresses is to have regular screenings. You can also change your diet and lifestyle to keep your digestive system as healthy as possible.