VIDEO: A Cancer Survivor’s Story

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI)- Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States, but it is also preventable and treatable- if caught early.

Mary Pat Hancock is right at home with her third grade students.

Hancock teaches at Saltillo Elementary and has a passion for her work. She says teaching energizes her, but last year, the longtime educator noticed she was not feeling 100 percent. She went to her doctor, who referred her to the Tupelo based Digestive Health Specialists.

“So on January 20th, I had my first colonoscopy at age 47 and Dr. Amann is my doctor, he came in and he said, everybody needs to take a deep breath. We have seen some cancer, and we will send you to a surgeon,” says Hancock.

Hancock underwent surgery to remove the cancer. She did not need chemo or radiation because the cancer was discovered in its early stages, thanks to the colonoscopy.

Hancock was out of the classroom for about two months, but is now back to a full workload.

She says the colonoscopy is not painful, and can be a lifesaver.

“You get a very good nap, a lot of private time, you get to rest when you get home, there’s really nothing to it,” says Hancock.

That was her message recently to guests at the annual “Blue Tie Affair.” The event is a fundraiser for NMMC’s Cancer Center Care Fund. She shared her story and says it is her mission to educate as many people as she can about the importance of screening through a colonoscopy.

“My family has all been screened and I hear from people on a weekly basis who say, I decided to go ahead and get my colonoscopy, that has been my message, to get the word out, if you have any symptoms, any warning signs, or family history, get it checked, there’s no reason not to,” says Hancock.

WCBI is partnering with Fred’s Pharmacy for colon cancer awareness month. You can pick up these free, at home test kits to help detect colon and rectal cancer in its early stages.