What started as occasional stomach pain for a busy college junior quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis.
Katie Davis was just 20 years old, juggling classes, a job at Playa Bowls, and sorority life at Westchester University in Pennsylvania when she began experiencing sharp abdominal pain. At first, it seemed minor — brief waves that came and went.
“I would go a good while without it,” she later shared. “Then it would come and only last a few minutes, sometimes even a few seconds.”
But over time, the pain intensified.
Doctors First Suspected a Benign Ovarian Cyst
Three months after her symptoms began, Davis sought medical care while staying at her boyfriend’s family beach house. Without ultrasound equipment available, doctors suspected a benign ovarian cyst and advised her to monitor her symptoms.
She was told to visit the ER if she developed additional warning signs.
Days later, she did.
After experiencing chills and vomiting at her parents’ home, she went to the emergency room. Imaging showed her colon was inflamed and there was free fluid — something that can signal infection, trauma, or cancer.
Doctors mentioned possibilities including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or, in more serious cases, colon cancer. A colonoscopy was scheduled.
A Private Room After the Procedure Raised Alarms
Davis didn’t expect anything serious.
But when she woke up from the colonoscopy and noticed she had been placed in a separate room from other patients, she sensed something was wrong.
The doctor told her and her mother he was “pretty positive” the mass found in her colon was cancerous.
Shortly after, the diagnosis was confirmed: Stage 2 colon cancer.
“I didn’t really know what to think or feel,” she said. “Definitely just numb and confused at first, like ‘how did I get this?’”
Chemotherapy Complications Made Treatment Harder
Davis underwent colon surgery and was scheduled for three months of chemotherapy. However, her body struggled to tolerate the aggressive treatment.
She developed severe fatigue, nausea, and neuropathy — a painful pins-and-needles sensation in her hands triggered by temperature changes.
The most frightening side effect was sudden vision loss.
“My vision would go completely black,” she said.
Her family researched the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin, which can cause vision issues in some patients. After consulting doctors and connecting with support groups, she was switched to an oral-only chemotherapy plan.
While the alternative extended her treatment from three to six months, it allowed her to avoid frequent hospital visits and manage side effects more safely.
She Continued College While Fighting Cancer
Throughout treatment, Davis tried to maintain as normal a life as possible. She attended classes in person when she could, supported by professors who knew about her diagnosis.
“It was difficult to do schoolwork when I felt as horrible as I did on chemo,” she said. “But I tried to be there as much as possible.”
Her motivation? Her boyfriend, her friends, and the desire to stay connected to campus life.
Cancer-Free — And Sharing an Important Message
In June 2025, Davis completed chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free.
Now 21 and entering her senior year, she’s interning at a financial advisory firm and planning life after graduation. She will continue monitoring with blood tests every three months and annual colonoscopies.
Looking back, she’s grateful she paid attention to her body’s warning signs.
“A lot of doctors said most people my age wouldn’t have had symptoms like I did,” she said. “I’m glad I learned to listen to my body.”
Her story comes at a critical time. Colon cancer has recently become the leading cause of cancer death among people under 50.
Her advice to young adults:
- Don’t ignore persistent or unusual symptoms
- Push for further testing if something feels wrong
- Seek community support if diagnosed
“You’re not really alone,” she said. “There are other people going through it too who can help you.”
Her experience is a reminder that serious health conditions don’t always follow age expectations — and that listening to your body can make all the difference.
