32-Year-Old Father with Stage 4 Colon Cancer Urges Early Screening

Zachary Whitfield shares his story to raise awareness and encourage others not to wait on colorectal cancer testing.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:49pm

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Zachary Whitfield, a 32-year-old father of three from Pinetops, North Carolina, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Despite his young age and family history of cancer, Whitfield's symptoms were initially misdiagnosed, delaying his treatment. Now, he is sharing his story to encourage others, especially those under 45, to listen to their bodies and advocate for early colorectal cancer screening.

Why it matters

Colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Americans under 50, yet screening guidelines often don't recommend colonoscopies until age 45. Whitfield's case highlights the importance of being proactive about one's health, even when medical professionals may initially dismiss symptoms.

The details

After months of symptoms like bleeding that were initially misdiagnosed as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, Whitfield checked himself into the hospital, where doctors discovered a 4-inch tumor on his colon. He was then diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at just 32 years old. Whitfield has already endured unimaginable loss, having lost his grandmother, mother, brother, and most recently his father to cancer.

  • Whitfield was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer earlier this year.

The players

Zachary Whitfield

A 32-year-old father of three from Pinetops, North Carolina who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

American Cancer Society

An organization that reports colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Americans under age 50.

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What they’re saying

“When I first found out, I honestly didn't know what to think. Was this real? I am only 32 years old. So it took me a minute to comprehend that this is what it is... and it's really bad.”

— Zachary Whitfield

“You're fighting for your life, but you're fighting for everything. Your kids' stability, your own stability, your rent, your bills... none of that stops just because you're sick.”

— Zachary Whitfield

“You're not going to be recommended for a colonoscopy until 45. So it could be too late then. For me, if I would have been screened earlier, I wouldn't be going through this right now.”

— Zachary Whitfield

What’s next

Whitfield has more surgeries ahead as he continues his fight against stage 4 colon cancer. He hopes his story will encourage others, especially those under 45, to be proactive about their health and seek early colorectal cancer screening.

The takeaway

Whitfield's case highlights the importance of listening to your body and advocating for early cancer screening, even when medical professionals may initially dismiss your symptoms. His experience underscores the need for updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines to catch the disease earlier in younger patients.