RUSH, N.Y. — March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. One woman who’s battled the disease for the better part of five years is sharing her story because she says she wants to help others avoid the fight she’s going through.

Shannon Hookstra is in the fight of her life. She’s not doing it alone.

“I’m lucky enough to have friends, family, co-workers that help me,” said Hookstra, of Rush. “No matter what.”

Hookstra was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2018.

“It turns your world upside down,” she said. “It really does. And I decided right then and there that I was going to fight. I wouldn’t let this beat me.”

After months of treatment, she was declared cancer-free. But in 2020, the cancer returned. She’s been battling ever since.

“I believe that God put me on this path for a reason,” said Hookstra. “I don't like the path of mine, but I don't really have a choice. So I'm just going with it and doing the best I can with what I have.”

Hookstra shared her story to convince others to be screened for colon cancer. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The CDC recommends screenings at age 45, unless a person has a family history of cancer. About 105,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year. The disease can be deadly, but doctors say it is preventable with proper screening, and treatable if detected early.  

“I’m going to tell you that doing the prep and having the actual colonoscopy is a lot easier than when I've gone through,” she said. “I have said before that if I can tell my story 100 times and save one person, I will.”

Hookstra says there was no history of cancer in her family until her diagnosis. She has good days and bad — and has faced dark periods during her cancer journey.  

“I feel like I’m blessed every single day,” she said.

In this fight, attitude is at least half the battle.

“In the end, this disease will probably take my life,” said Hookstra. “But cancer will never beat me.”