45 is the new 50: A Local Resident’s Colorectal Cancer Journey
“I have a life and a family worth fighting for,” is what 50 year old Justin Plunkett, a patient at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, tells himself as he battles Colorectal Cancer. Justin’s story began when he was diagnosed at 46 after having changes in his bowel habits and moderate abdominal pain. Justin had a colonoscopy with Dr. Richard Arrigo, Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates, and was found to have a mass in his colon and was told it was cancer. “It was like a train rolling through my head,” Justin said.
Justin wasted no time and took immediate action. He had a staging workup and consulted with Medical Oncologist, Dr. Myron Bednar, Hunterdon Hematology Oncology. The disease had spread to his lungs and Justin knew he had a long road ahead of him, surgery followed by “chemo for life.” For Justin, chemotherapy was filled with ups and downs but he never doubted the clinical decision-making and care of Dr. Bednar, “He’s a great doctor and I trust him implicitly.” Additionally, Justin praised the Cancer Center’s nurses and medical assistants, “When I’m at my most vulnerable, they are there. They are truly unsung heroes and I treasure them,” he said.
Justin has endured challenges because of his disease such as reduced lung capacity, GI symptoms, and neuropathy. Nonetheless, Justin continues to push through, “I’m still working, I still do the food shopping, I cook most nights for the family, and I live a generally ‘normal’ life. If you looked at me, you wouldn’t know how sick I am. I’m grateful for where I am today.”
Justin also has strong family support which includes his wife, Dr. Lisa Plunkett, Hunterdon Family Practice and Obstetrics, and their three children who have been vital to his survivorship, ”My wife is extremely supportive and understands when she needs to push me and when I need a break.” Each of their children copes with Justin’s cancer differently, sometimes they talk about it, some days they use humor to cope, but they all play an important role in his fight against cancer.
A cancer diagnosis can also affect a patient's emotional health. Justin encourages seeking support and resources where you can. He has added Palliative Care to his care team and has joined a Facebook support group for men battling cancer, “Man Up To Cancer.” Justin says that the support group has given him hope as he’s been able to connect with other patients who are clinically similar that continue to fight, years into their treatment.
JUSTIN’S IMPORTANT MESSAGE
“I was 46 when I was diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer. At the time, colonoscopies were recommended for people 50 years or older. Due to the increasing number of younger people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, just 6 months after I was diagnosed the recommendations were lowered to begin screening at 45. Sometimes I wonder if maybe we had caught this at 45, whether I could have been cured and my family’s life wouldn’t have been upended. If you know anyone 45 or older, please tell them to speak with their doctor and get screened for Colorectal Cancer. You could not only save their lives but positively impact many others.”
To learn more about scheduling a colonoscopy with Hunterdon Health, visit Colon Health.