Patient Stories: Robotic surgery offers young cancer patient a second chance
Jauckline Harrell comes from a family where, thanks to a genetic disorder called Lynch Syndrome, a younger diagnosis of colon cancer isn’t unusual. Multiple relatives have battled with stomach, colon and endometrial cancers due to this genetic mutation. She began undergoing colonoscopies at the age of 30.
During her very first colonoscopy, doctors discovered a small mass which was diagnosed as early colon cancer.Β After discussions with her doctor on what options would allow her to preserve fertility, Sidney Morrison, MD, advised her to consider new technology that allows for robotic surgery with a rapid recovery process.
The segment of Harrell’s colon that contained the cancer was successfully removed without damaging to other internal organs. After recovery, Harrell is back to her everyday life, with continuing care focused on surveillance and routine screenings.
“You always hear about other people having cancer or going through this process,” said Harrell. “When it happens to you personally, it really makes you take a step back and look back at your own life.”