Doctors note increasing rate of young adults with colorectal cancer following death of 36-year-old mother
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Wednesday, Dec. 7th, a Whitefish Bay family prepared to lay their loved one, Laura Bresnahan Bush, 36, to rest after her courageous battle with colorectal cancer.
Doctors say they're seeing more young adults under the age of 50 being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 18,000 people in the United States under the age of 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Last October, the then 35-year- old Laura Bush, thought she was having simple stomach pains, but the wife, mother of two, and former collegiate athlete would soon find out the pain was being caused by what would eventually be diagnosed as stage four cancer.
"Unfortunately, we got the shock we never imagined it would be, her appendix was fine, but they found a mass in her transverse colon," said Laura's husband Brendan Bush.
On Friday Dec. 2, after nearly 13 months of aggressive cancer treatments, the 36-year-old would eventfully succumb to her illness.
Brendan said he wants to raise awareness about this form of cancer, looking to contribute to causes like the Hartford Family Foundation and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
"Raising awareness, especially for young people, to make sure that we take care of our health, and if we have any signs or symptoms that we talk to our physicians, and take the things seriously, and get the help that we need," said Bush.
If you would like to learn more about the Hartford Family Foundation, click the link here.
If you would like to learn more about the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, click the link here.
Funeral services for Bush will be held on Monday, Dec. 12 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Whitefish Bay.