What to know:
- Sean Stalker was 44 and considered himself healthy when he began experiencing severe abdominal pain in 2023.
- Other warning signs followed, including sudden weight loss and multiple urgent-care visits.
- A colonoscopy revealed colon cancer. Although routine screening for adults at average risk generally begins at age 45, Stalker’s symptoms prompted doctors to recommend the procedure before he reached that age.
Sean Stalker thought he was healthy.
At 44, he worked out four days a week and stayed active with his children.
But one Saturday morning in 2023, he experienced serious pain that had him rushing to his doctor.
“I was just really struck with abdominal pain,” Stalker said. “I hadn’t experienced that before.”
The pain was followed by sudden weight loss and several trips to urgent care. After months of testing, doctors recommended a colonoscopy.
“They said, ‘Sean, you’re 44 and a half. The age to get a colonoscopy is recommended is 45. Let’s just order a colonoscopy,’” Stalker said.
The screening confirmed he had colon cancer.
A month later, Stalker learned the disease had progressed to stage 4.
“I knew I was going to fight. That was it,” he said.
Doctors removed several tumors, and Stalker began treatment and chemotherapy. He said one of the hardest parts was watching the diagnosis affect his wife, Danielle, and their young family.
“Knowing what my disease was putting my family through … that was probably the part that was the hardest,” he said.
Rather than allow the diagnosis to stop him, Stalker turned his experience into a mission to help others.
He and Danielle started End the Trend, a nonprofit focused on colorectal cancer awareness, screening, and prevention. The organization hosts programs, fundraisers, and golf outings to help provide education and connect people with resources.
“The fact that it’s impacting younger and younger patients right now across the country is why we called our nonprofit End the Trend,” Stalker said. “We want to reverse that trend of seeing more younger people suffering from this disease and ultimately passing from it.”
Stalker is approaching three years cancer-free, but he continues advocating for early detection. He encourages people not to feel embarrassed about talking with a doctor about colorectal cancer screening, particularly if they are experiencing abdominal pain or other concerning symptoms.
Screening recommendations generally begin at age 45 for adults at average risk, though people with symptoms or a family history of cancer may need to be evaluated earlier. Doctors can explain which screening option is appropriate.
“I just try to remind myself every day, at least one point in the day, appreciate that you’re here,” Stalker said. “Just be happy to be right here, right now.”
End the Trend held its annual charity golf outing at the Links of Novi on Thursday, October 1. The event raises money to benefit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, cancer research, and young adult advocacy.
The organization has raised about $60,000 over the past two years.
To learn more about End the Trend and how you can help support its mission, visit https://sites.google.com/view/endthetrend/our-story.
