Texas mother discovers stage II rectal cancer after mistaking symptoms for diet change

Candace Tucker, who works at an oncology clinic in a small Texas town and cares for her 7-year-old grandson, first noticed blood in her stool in September 2025 and blamed it on a higher-fiber diet. Persistent symptoms led to a colonoscopy that raised suspicion of cancer, and pathology later confirmed stage II rectal cancer. She started an aggressive treatment plan with Dr. Bradley Scott Colton at Texas Oncology, including DNA profiling of the tumor, chemotherapy, and plans for surgery and possible radiation.

Tucker reports that the chemotherapy is less severe than expected and she is focused on maintaining normalcy for her family. Experts like Dr. Megan Turley and Dr. Arif Kamal stress that any rectal bleeding warrants prompt medical evaluation, noting a rise in colorectal cancer among adults under 50. Tucker hopes sharing her experience will reduce stigma and encourage early detection.