Former College Football Player Shares Cancer Diagnosis
Key Takeaways:
- Stephen Garcia, age 38, was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer after experiencing symptoms of unintentional weight loss and abnormal stools
- Garcia is receiving treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center, including multiple cycles of the aggressive chemotherapy regimen FOLFIRINOX
- Colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults under the age of 50
Stephen Garcia, a former record-setting University of South Carolina quarterback and Jefferson High School alumni, has always described himself as a fighter, always leaving it all out on the field for every practice and game.
At the age of 38, he says he is now using the resilience he gained from being an athlete to tackle his stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis.
His symptoms started with unintentional weight loss and abnormal stools, both common symptoms of the disease.
“It took about seven months until I finally went to see a doctor,” Garcia said. “It was seven months too long. I wish I had listened to my body earlier, and it’s a lesson that you’ve got to trust your gut.”
Aggressive Treatment for Young Patients
The husband and father of three is getting treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center. His treatment plan consists of four to six cycles of a chemotherapy regimen called FOLFIRINOX, an aggressive course of action according to Tiago Biachi, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Moffitt.
“This is one of those regimens that we can use for colorectal cancer that is a combination of three main drugs,” Biachi said. “Sometimes we do this combination because the patient is more symptomatic, or sometimes, we do this because we're trying to take this patient for a surgical resection. It is an aggressive treatment that we tend to use in younger patients or those patients that we believe are going to benefit from this kind of approach.”
Currently, colorectal cancer screenings are recommended to begin at age 45 for those at average risk. Biachi says that for those experiencing unusual symptoms, screening is vital regardless of age.
Stephen Garcia credits his wife for encouraging him to see a doctor after experiencing unusual symptoms.
“Unfortunately, it's a reality that we are seeing more and more young colorectal cancer patients,” Biachi said. “I would say about 20% of our patients here at Moffitt are young adults under the age of 50. If someone has symptoms like rectal bleeding, change in bowel movements, weight loss, abdominal pain or any other persistent symptom, it must be investigated.”
Staying Mentally Tough
Garcia decided to spread the word about his diagnosis in hopes of helping others.
“I want to emphasize to people that if they're not feeling 100%, if there's anything wrong at all, just go get checked out,” he said. "A big thing for all of us: listen to your spouse, your partner, or your closest friends. I'm as hard-headed as they come, and I know now that when my wife says, "Go to the doctor, please!" that I need to do it. Please listen to them."
Once Garcia finishes chemotherapy, he will undergo radiation and surgery. He says he’s leaning on support from family, the athletic community, friends and others who have also experienced a cancer diagnosis.
“A friend told me the biggest thing I can tell you is you’ve got to be mentally positive, because there's going to be days where you're going to feel like absolute hell and you're not going to want to see anybody, you will just want to give up,” Garcia said. “He told me you have to stay mentally in the game and mentally tough.”
Advice that the former quarterback plans to take with him every step of the way.
“I have complete faith in the team that I have around me,” he said. “I look at this as just another battle in life.”
