Man Up to Cancer Man Up to Cancer

When should you screen for colon cancer?
What are the currently available screening options?
What are the new options on the horizon?
What about the rise of colorectal cancer in young people?
These are the questions I tackle in today's 25-minute episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast.

Got questions or comments? I want to hear them!

Cologuard
Fight CRC
Exact Sciences
Guardant Health
Colon Cancer Coalition

Classic SNL ad for Colon Blow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku42Iszh9KM

2023 SNL ad for Cologuard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu12X2cu6Y0

I'm joined on today's show by Joy and Isaac Moel, a mother and son from Iowa City, Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!).
Isaac was just 23 years old in April 2019 when he was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. He was otherwise healthy and had no family history or other red flags. 
Just when Isaac was gaining independence as an adult, he was forced into the role of patient, depending on his mother to be his primary caregiver as he faced mutliple surgeries and grueling chemotherapy, radiation, and more. 
The shocking diagnosis was a difficult blow for this tightknit family, yet they have fought this disease together with incredible courage, intelligence, grace, and heart.
In this episode, we discuss 
Isaac's engagement and upcoming wedding!The physical and emotional burdens of managing metastatic cancer over a period of yearsWhat it was like for mother and son to have him become dependent on her again, just as he was gaining independenceAdvice for other young men facing a cancer diagnosisOur mutual love for Iowa City, home to my alma mater, the University of IowaThe best pizza in the midwest (In my humble opinion)

My guest today is Ethan Zohn, a former professional soccer player, winner of the world's most famous reality show Survivor, humanitarian, philanthropist, author, inventor, investor, advocate for cannabis and psychedelics, with a special interest in helping cancer patients and survivors.
Ethan is the co-founder of the global non-profit, Grassroot Soccer, which has reached millions of youth in 60+ countries with vital health information and services.
Oh, and he's a two time survivor of CD20 positive Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who has been through the gauntlet of chemo, radiation, two stem cell transplants.
We talk about how at 50 he's now the "old curmudgeon" of the Survivor family tree; his uncanny resemblance as a teenager to Patrick Dempsey's nerdy character, Ronald Miller, from the movie "Can't Buy Me Love"; his insane number of side hustles since grade school; the emotional turmoil of his two bouts with lymphoma; how medical cannabis changed his life for the better; the pressure of going through cancer in the media spotlight; and how he found his authentic voice when he stopped saying what people wanted him to say, and started telling his truth about the cancer experience.
LINKS
EO Care: Medical Cannabis Care Plans for cancer patients, Survivors and caregivers : www.EO.care
Crunch Bowl - Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/6o46Ezf
Survivor Merch : www.EthanZohn.com
Dempsey Center: www.dempseycenter.org
Social Media Channels
X (Twitter): @ethanzohn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanzohn
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EthanZohnSurvivor

#KFG has been one of my go-to hashtags during the past six years living with stage IV colon cancer.
But what is it?
On today's throwback episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, we go back to a show from August 2020. It's crazy to think that nearly four years have passed since I recorded this.
In this bonus episode, the meaning of KFG gets revealed. I ramble for 14 minutes about my first surgery, amazing nurse Aaron, and the joys of oxaliplatin chemo. I also send out a message of encouragement to all the cancer patients out there who are in pain, suffering, and basically living minute to minute.
To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.org. HOWL!!

Today on the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, I'm joined by super advocate DeMetrius Kee from Rancho Cucamonga, California.
When his stepfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, the ripple effect hit the entire family hard, especially 41-year-old DeMetrius.
"It threw us all off. I spent several years in the health and wellness space and had no idea what prostate cancer was. I immediately started researching," he said.
That launched DeMetrius into a newfound passion for cancer advocacy. More than six years later, he has established a thriving career with cancer non-profits. In the cancer world, sometimes having a strong voice — and the willingness to us it — is exactly what is needed. With his self-described "big mouth," DeMetrius is changing the lives of anyone within earshot.
"Knowing what I know now, in regards to early detection, I encourage everyone," he said. "I know it's difficult, but you've gotta talk about it."
Things you will learn about DeMetrius in this episode:
He has 45+ first cousins — and that's just on his mom's side of the familyHe looks so young, sometimes people think he and his 20-year-old son are brothersHe served in the Air Force for eight years… in Nebraska
@LLS - Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
@Zero Prostate Cancer

On today's episode, two of Canada's most helpful (and obviously handsome) cancer fighters sit down for a chat with me about friendship.
Jay Abramovitch of South Mountain, Ontario, and Jason Manuge of Kingston, Ontario, were both in their 30s when they were diagnosed with young onset colorectal cancer.
Jason is facing the challenges of cancer that has spread to his bones, while Jay is navigating a couple of new, small tumors that have popped up in his lungs, after a few years of NED - No Evidence of Disease.
To hear these two young guys open the doors of their hearts - and reject bitterness in the face of brutally difficult circumstances - was something I will never forget.