Stockbridge, Ga. (March 22, 2024) – April Witzel is a midwife practicing on the campus of Piedmont Henry Hospital, however she has also been a Piedmont patient since 2020 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. The past four years have featured many ups and downs for Witzel, who stresses the importance of detecting colon cancer early.
Witzel was diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 45 and the Covid-19 pandemic led to a delayed diagnosis.
“Within six weeks of my initial diagnosis, Witzel said. “My cancer had spread to my liver and was now Stage IV instead of Stage III.”
Witzel was shocked to hear she had colon cancer. She was young, in the best shape of her life, eating healthy and exercising regularly. She also didn’t fit into the categories that have higher incidence of colon cancer: patients who are: male, African-American, smokers, drinkers, and/or consumers of highly processed foods. Still, the cancer had likely been growing in the background for years. When she started to experience symptoms like intense abdominal pain, smaller stools, bleeding, and gas on a more frequent basis, she knew something was wrong.
Witzel had to consistently advocate for herself as some wanted to frame her symptoms as something more innocuous like IBS or something she ate. After a colonoscopy and a CT scan, it was clear that 90 percent of her colon was blocked by a tumor. Since the diagnosis, Witzel has had three types of chemotherapy, a colon re-section, liver ablation, liver re-section, and radiation therapy directed at her lungs. Currently she is trying to be part of a research trial focused on immunotherapy. In the meantime, she is encouraging people to do the things that could help catch colon cancer early.
“If there is any history of cancer in your family, you should get genetic counseling,” said Witzel. “People should also consider getting colonoscopies or using Cologuard, and doing all they can to reduce risk factors.”
Witzel encourages her patients to advocate for themselves when they speak with their doctors and let them know when something isn’t right. She stated that surgeon Joseph Nichols Jr., M.D., surgical oncologist Kevin Nguyen, M.D. and oncologist Trevor Feinstein, M.D. all of whom practice at Piedmont, did a fantastic job.
“I wouldn’t be here without those people,” said Witzel. “They took me seriously and listened to me when it felt like I was alone and no one was listening.”
Although Witzel stated that she would heal herself tomorrow, if she could, her cancer has given her some gifts.
“I feel like I live more intentionally and do the things I want to do,” said Witzel. “I invest in the things, and the people, I’m passionate about. I’m also using my platform to bring education to the community and hope that my story saves someone else.”
Learn more about colon cancer.