Maggie's in the News - SCMP - Hong Kong artist’s colon cancer diagnosis at 38 shows growing risk of it among the young
Hong Kong artist and freelance writer Helen Law was just 38 when she was diagnosed with stage-three colorectal cancer.
She had been feeling tired and weak in the months leading up to the diagnosis, but was unaware that these were symptoms of cancer.
“I thought I was just sleep deprived,” Law, now 49, says.
“One day, after rushing to cross the street during my lunch break, I felt so out of breath that I had to sit and rest before walking back to my office.”
She saw a doctor, who ordered a blood test that confirmed she was anaemic – her red blood cell count was low. Follow-up tests including an endoscopy and colonoscopy revealed a malignant tumour in her colon.
Law was shocked to learn of the cancer because she was so young.
She had surgery to remove the tumour. When a post-operative report showed cancer cells in a lymph node, she underwent chemotherapy – eight treatment cycles, administered every three weeks.
Rising incidence among younger adults
The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, with those 50 and older most affected. but over the last couple of decades there has been a rising incidence in adults under 50 years old globally.
According to the Cancer Research Institute, the rate of colorectal cancer among patients aged 20 to 39 has been increasing by about two per cent annually since the early 1990s.
The disease has not spared young celebrities.
In November 2024, Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage-three colorectal cancer a year earlier, at the age of 46.
Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43 – four years after his diagnosis.
Potential causes of cancer in young patients
The exact causes of colorectal cancer in young patients have yet to be identified, says Hong Kong-based oncologist Dr Lee Siu-hong.
Some young colorectal cancer patients carry familial genetic defects that increase their risk of genetic mutations and, consequently, the development of colorectal cancer, he says.
A sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet may also be contributing factors.
“Even though Hong Kong has not yet seen a rise in colorectal cancer among younger people, with new cases among those under 45 years old remaining at around 210 per year, the increasing Westernisation of our diet and lifestyle could lead to more cases in younger age groups within the next decade or two,” Lee says.
Reduce the risk, know the signs
To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, Lee advises young people follow a balanced diet, limiting their intake of red meat and processed and preserved foods; exercise regularly; avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking; and maintain a healthy weight.
They should also be aware of colorectal cancer signs and seek medical attention immediately if they notice any of these common symptoms:
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a change in bowel habits
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blood in their stool
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diarrhoea or constipation or the feeling that they have not emptied their bowel completely
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persistent abdominal aches, pains or cramps
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sudden, unexplained weight loss
Get checked – regularly
Regular screenings are essential, too.
The Hong Kong government recommends that 50- to 75-year-olds with an average risk of developing colorectal cancer undergo a faecal occult blood test every one or two years, or have a sigmoidoscopy – a check of the lower part of the large intestine – every five years, or have a colonoscopy every 10 years.
High-risk individuals should start screening earlier and undergo screenings more frequently.
These include people with a family history of the disease; carriers of genetic mutations associated with Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) – conditions associated with a high risk of developing colon cancer; and those with a personal history of adenomatous polyps – a precursor to colon cancer.
Genetic testing pros and cons
Two of Law’s paternal uncles discovered they had colorectal cancer not long after Law received her diagnosis. Law’s doctor suggested she undergo genetic testing to determine if her cancer was FAP, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), or Lynch syndrome.
If it was one of these, the chances of her two children developing the disease would be many times higher, and they would need to start regular colonoscopies from age 20.
Ultimately, Law decided against undergoing these tests.
She says she “worried that other family members – especially the next generation – would face significant psychological pressure and might live in constant fear” if the tests confirmed the presence of a familial genetic predisposition.
“My approach is, regardless of whether I carry the familial gene, I can remain vigilant by paying attention to subtle physical changes and symptoms [in my children], and by [sending them for] regular health check-ups – including colonoscopies – earlier,” she adds.
Post-recovery regime
Law is currently in good health, although her shorter intestinal tract – the result of her surgery – means she has more frequent bowel movements and occasional diarrhoea.
She has no special health regimen. She eats healthily, strives to get sufficient sleep and enjoys hobbies like painting, singing and calligraphy.
Three years ago, she began studying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) out of interest and to see how she could use it to help herself and her family.
In the first few years after her surgery, she frequently experienced abdominal pain and assumed it was something she had to live with. Taking Chinese medicine eased the pain.
Thanks to TCM, which views the human body as an “organic whole”, Law also learned the importance of emotional well-being in her overall physical health. She tries not to overthink, worry or be afraid, and to be relaxed, positive and upbeat.
Getting support from relatives and friends, as well as from Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, also helped Law in her recovery.
Maggie’s provides free support through talks and workshops; emotional, social, and psychological support, including group sharing sessions, mindfulness, yoga, and consultations with clinical psychologists; and relaxation therapy and stress management.
Receiving any type of cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, so getting support is crucial, not just for the cancer patient but also those who stand with them, says Maggie’s chairman Dr Leong Che-hung.
The centre helps people take back control when cancer turns life upside down, he says.
Giving back – and offering hope
Law “gives back” to Maggie’s through her artwork. She organised two personal charity art exhibitions in 2022 and 2024, raising more than HK$400,000 (US$50,000).
Her upcoming book Walking Through Cancer With You will be published during the Hong Kong Book Fair in July.
It is a collection of her published newspaper columns, calligraphy works and paintings, “all created with the hope of offering encouragement and solidarity to cancer patients and their caregivers”, Law says.