Vanderbilt Coach's Girlfriend Shares Stage 4 Colon Cancer Diagnosis, Inspiring Others to Get Screened

Katina Kangelaris, an oncology sales specialist, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer in January, shaking her and her boyfriend, Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington, but they're using their platform to raise awareness.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A ghostly, X-ray-like image showing the intricate internal structure of a human colon, rendered in glowing lines against a dark background. The conceptual illustration captures the clinical nature of colon cancer in a serene, hopeful manner.A translucent X-ray photograph reveals the internal structure of the colon, highlighting the medical complexities of colon cancer while conveying a sense of hope and determination.Today in Nashville

Katina Kangelaris, the girlfriend of Vanderbilt head basketball coach Mark Byington, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer in January. The diagnosis came as a shock, as the 45-year-old Kangelaris lives a healthy lifestyle and had no family history of the disease. Byington has been by Kangelaris' side throughout her treatment, which has included a clinical trial at Duke University. Despite the devastating news, the couple is using their platform to encourage others, especially younger adults, to get regular colonoscopies and prioritize their health.

Why it matters

Colon cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults, with cases rising by over 2% annually in those under 50. Forty-five percent of new cases now occur in adults under 65. Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and second in women, despite a decrease in older adults. Kangelaris and Byington hope that by sharing their story, they can inspire others to get screened and caught the disease early.

The details

Kangelaris, an oncology sales specialist, initially thought she might have Crohn's Disease, but a colonoscopy revealed a Stage 4 Colon Cancer diagnosis. She waited to tell Byington, who was focused on coaching Vanderbilt to a win over Kentucky, until the next day. Byington has been by Kangelaris' side throughout her treatment, which includes a clinical trial at Duke University. Kangelaris has had to miss some Vanderbilt games due to her treatment, but is determined to beat the disease and return to her normal routine.

  • Kangelaris was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer on January 27, 2026.
  • Byington wore a Coaches vs. Cancer patch during Vanderbilt's win over Kentucky on January 26, 2026, the day before Kangelaris received her diagnosis.

The players

Katina Kangelaris

Kangelaris is the 45-year-old girlfriend of Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer in January 2026 despite living a healthy lifestyle and having no family history of the disease.

Mark Byington

Byington is the head basketball coach at Vanderbilt University. He has been by Kangelaris' side throughout her cancer treatment and is using his platform to encourage others, especially younger adults, to get regular colonoscopies.

Mike Kangelaris

Katina Kangelaris' brother, who has taken a leave from his job as a NeuroPsych Executive Sales Specialist in North Carolina to help care for his sister and her family during her cancer treatment.

Zubkus

A board-certified medical oncologist with Tennessee Oncology who has advised Katina Kangelaris throughout her cancer treatment.

Brad Allen

The father of incoming Vanderbilt walk-on Baylor Allen, who connected Byington with Zubkus.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Kangelaris is currently enrolled in a clinical trial at Duke University, which is considered the gold standard of Colon Cancer treatment. She hopes the investigational pill she is taking as part of the trial will get approved so that others with her same mutation can be effectively treated.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of regular cancer screenings, especially for younger adults, as colon cancer is increasingly affecting those under 50. Kangelaris and Byington are using their platform to raise awareness and encourage others to prioritize their health, as early detection can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.