Early-Onset Cancer Diagnosis Leads North Jersey Women To Start Podcast

NORTH JERSEY — Back in May, Woodcliff Lake native Danielle Koppenaal, 28, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

It's a form of cancer usually diagnosed in people who are older — in fact, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that people begin screening for colorectal cancer at 45.

But the National Cancer Institute says that there has been an increase in people being diagnosed much younger.

Danielle and her best friend Bevin O'Brien, who were roommates in Hoboken after college, decided to find a silver lining in her diagnosis.

So the pair recently started a weekly podcast called Cancer Chats in which they raise awareness and funds for cancer, and discuss the ups and downs in Danielle's life.

Danielle's journey began in college at Syracuse University, when she was diagnosed with both colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

"She struggled with her health all through the four years at school," said a spokesperson for the podcast. "And post college, it only got worse, but it wasn’t until this year that her doctors diagnosed her with cancer."

Danielle and Bevin's goal, they said, is to bring a lighthearted touch to a tough topic, discussing "the ups and downs in a life affected by cancer, while helping listeners to stay informed and keep a sense of humor."

The say they hope people tune in who are "either been through a challenging time or are still going through it."

In addition to the podcast, Danielle just launched merchandise in the form of a hat, with all proceeds going to cancer research charity, The V Foundation. You can see the hat and more information on the Cancer Chats Instagram here.

Danielle and Bevin began Cancer Chats podcast in July, and it's posted online each Thursday. Listeners can access each episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify here:

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cancer-chats/id1698847424
• https://open.spotify.com/show/1C7t4g7O1G16V0Fbr6xC9G?si=ef18313f01c748e7

Danielle has been under treatment for her ulcerative colitis, which she said is under control, and she also has completed eight rounds of chemotherapy for cancer, she said.

She will soon undergo a procedure to see how her body responded, and then, possibly more drugs and chemotherapy.

The National Cancer Institute says that after a recent study was done on more than 5,000 people diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer before age 50, many of them had these warning signs:

• abdominal pain
• rectal bleeding
• diarrhea
• iron deficiency anemia

Having one of the signs was associated with nearly twice the likelihood of being diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, the institute said, so it's worth asking a doctor if you have any related symptoms. Read more here.

Follow Cancer Chats on Instagram here.