Woman's Colorectal Cancer Symptoms Dismissed for Years Before Stage 3 Diagnosis

Marisa Peters, 44, faced years of dismissive doctors before finally getting a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:04pm

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Marisa Peters, a 44-year-old mother of three and former Broadway vocalist, first noticed bleeding when going to the bathroom after having her first son. Over the next five years, her symptoms, including severe anemia, were repeatedly dismissed by doctors who chalked them up to side effects of childbirth. It wasn't until 2021, when Peters sought out a gastroenterologist, that she was finally diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

Why it matters

Peters' story highlights the growing issue of colorectal cancer affecting younger adults, with the disease now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. Her experience also underscores the importance of taking early action and not dismissing concerning symptoms, as colorectal cancer is an "entirely preventable disease" if caught early.

The details

After first noticing bleeding in her early 30s, Peters voiced her concerns to her primary care physician and other doctors. However, since she was relatively young, she was not seen as the "typical" colorectal cancer patient. Her doctors told her that "our bodies change when we have babies" and dismissed her concerns. Over the next five years, Peters had two more children while battling on-again, off-again symptoms, including severe anemia. It wasn't until she sought out a gastroenterologist in 2021 that she was finally diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer after a 5-centimeter tumor was found at the top of her rectum.

  • Peters first noticed bleeding when going to the bathroom after having her first son.
  • Over the next five years, Peters had two more children while battling on-again, off-again symptoms.
  • In June 2021, Peters was officially diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

The players

Marisa Peters

A 44-year-old mother of three and former Broadway vocalist who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2021.

BE SEEN

A colorectal cancer nonprofit founded by Marisa Peters that advocates for earlier intervention and screening.

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What they’re saying

“They didn't realize the face of colorectal cancer had changed. It now looked like someone much younger.”

— Marisa Peters

“Colorectal cancer is an entirely preventable disease, even though it's on the rise in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s for reasons we don't know.”

— Marisa Peters

What’s next

Peters founded the nonprofit BE SEEN to help others find their voice and get ahead of colorectal cancer through earlier intervention and screening.

The takeaway

Marisa Peters' story highlights the importance of taking early action and not dismissing concerning symptoms, as colorectal cancer is an entirely preventable disease if caught early. Her experience underscores the need for increased awareness about the rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults.