From LADbible · · 1m
Woman Survived Colon Cancer Three Times
Danielle Ripley-Burgess shares early symptom she ignored that led to three colon cancer diagnoses.
In brief
Danielle Ripley-Burgess shares early symptom she ignored that led to three colon cancer diagnoses. Danielle Ripley-Burgess, a 20-year cancer survivor, ignored blood in her stool at 14, leading to stage three colon cancer diagnoses at 17, 25, and later. Originally reported by LADbible.
Early symptom ignored
Danielle Ripley-Burgess, a 14-year-old, saw blood in her stool but blamed it on eating too much red food.
“I put myself on a ‘no red foods diet’ and stopped eating anything that was red in colour: everything from candy to pizza to salsa to raspberry Popsicles”
First cancer diagnosis
Danielle was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at 17 after blood in stool was confirmed as cancer.
“It took me a while to accept that I was actually seeing blood”
Second cancer diagnosis
At 25, Danielle had stage one colon cancer after a routine colonoscopy found cancerous polyps.
“Mentally and emotionally, it was way harder this time”
Lynch syndrome discovery
Danielle was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that increases cancer risk at a young age.
“It would be: Don’t be embarrassed about your body”
Third cancer diagnosis
Danielle had more polyps discovered in 2023, leading to a permanent ileostomy surgery.
“Don’t downplay what you’re seeing”
Key advice for younger self
Danielle advises ignoring symptoms and telling someone instead of downplaying what you see.
“Don’t sit in that place of: something is wrong with your body, and you don’t know what it is”
In short
Danielle Ripley-Burgess, a 20-year cancer survivor, ignored blood in her stool at 14, leading to stage three colon cancer diagnoses at 17, 25, and later.
