Celebrity
Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Issues Powerful Warning To Young People About Colon Cancer
Chadwick Boseman’s widow, who lost her husband to colon cancer in 2020, has cautioned young people about the perils of underestimating the disease.
Four years after his diagnosis, Simone Ledward Boseman lost her beloved Chadwick, who was in the last months of Stage 4 of the disease.
The 43-year-old actor is best known for his roles as James Brown in Get On Up (2014) and Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), which was released posthumously and for which Chadwick received an Oscar nomination, in addition to his numerous appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as King T’Challa.
As part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month activities last year, Taylor gave a speech at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She emphasised that people under 50 are underestimating their chances of receiving a diagnosis because the number of cases of colon cancer in that age group is expected to increase by more than 140 percent by 2030.
Even those as young as 21 have been found to have the disease, according to MailOnline, however survival chances are generally high when the cancer is detected early.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is currently the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women and the top cause among men under 50 in the United States.
These figures are rising by as much as 2 percent annually for an undisclosed reason.
Taylor told Dana-Farber Cancer Institute attendees, “Colorectal cancer is killing young people across the country, and most are vastly underestimating their risk. I’ve seen how this disease moves, and I know now how treatable it is when it’s detected early.”
“My personal advocacy stems from this understanding, and from the disappointment I feel in the lack of awareness in my community. We who have this knowledge have an obligation to inform our fellow man. Spreading awareness will save lives.”
“The alarming rise in young-onset colorectal cancer underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness, early detection, and comprehensive research to understand the underlying causes and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies,” continued Kimmie Ng, director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Centre and associate chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Dana-Farber.
“The rise in early-onset colorectal cancer is alarming. We need more awareness, earlier detection, and better understanding of the causes behind this trend.”
Kimmie also praised the advocacy of her fellow speaker, saying, “Her openness and commitment to spreading awareness is a powerful tribute to Chadwick’s legacy and a vital contribution to the fight against this disease.”
Tributes from all across Hollywood flooded in after Chadwick passed away, accompanied by his loved ones at his Los Angeles home.
‘Crushing blow’ is how Jordan Peele, director of Nope, Us, and Get Out, put it.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family wrote in the statement.
“From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more – all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Now Trending:
- Doctors Urge Everyone To Watch For These 5 Early Signs Of Colon Cancer
- Reasons to Consider Putting Aluminum Foil Behind Your Router
- Doctors Reveal How Eye Exams Can Detect Signs Of Cancer And Diabetes
Please SHARE this story with Family and Friends and let us know what you think in comments!
