A Staten Island mother's battle with stage 4 colon cancer brings attention to insurance coverage limitations for preventive screenings in patients under 45.
According to PEOPLE, Heather Candrilli, 36, faced higher out-of-pocket costs for a potentially life-saving colonoscopy due to age restrictions on insurance coverage, leading to a delayed diagnosis of advanced colon cancer in May 2024.
Candrilli's journey began with persistent symptoms of bloating and abdominal pain, which she initially attributed to dietary issues and post-pregnancy changes. Medical professionals tested her for celiac disease and Crohn's disease before an ultrasound revealed concerning findings in her liver.
Insurance policies complicate early detection efforts
New Jersey's current healthcare policies follow U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, requiring insurance coverage for colorectal screenings only for individuals 45 and older. This age-based restriction created a significant financial barrier for Candrilli, who needed the procedure at a younger age.
Cory Candrilli, Heather's husband and a disabled U.S. Army combat veteran, expressed his frustration with the current system. As he told SI Live:
You can't get it; it's unbelievable. It's truly unbelievable. These are your teachers, your parents, people raising your children. These are our future.
The couple's experience highlights a growing concern in the medical community about increasing rates of colorectal cancer among younger adults despite the disease traditionally being more common in older populations.
Aggressive treatment shows promising results
Following her diagnosis, Heather immediately began an intensive treatment plan. Surgeons removed a portion of her colon, and she has completed 20 rounds of chemotherapy over the past year, demonstrating remarkable resilience throughout the process.
The treatment protocol has yielded positive results, with chemotherapy successfully shrinking her lesions. Her medical team continues the aggressive approach due to its effectiveness in combating the disease.
Currently, Heather works with specialists at New York University Langone Health to secure a liver transplant, marking the next crucial phase in her treatment journey.
Community support and legislative action
The Candrilli family has received substantial community backing through a GoFundMe campaign initiated by Heather's aunt, Mary Rosner. The fundraiser has accumulated over $127,000, including a notable $10,000 contribution from actor Colin Farrell.
Heather has transformed her personal struggle into advocacy work, pushing for legislative change in New York to lower the covered preventive colonoscopy age to 35. Her efforts aim to prevent others from experiencing similar delays in diagnosis and treatment.
The family maintains an optimistic outlook while awaiting a suitable liver donor match, with Heather continuing to raise awareness about early cancer detection.
Treatment journey and advocacy efforts
Heather Candrilli's fight against stage 4 colon cancer began in May 2024 when doctors finally discovered a tumor during her colonoscopy. The delay in screening, caused by insurance coverage restrictions for patients under 45, resulted in the cancer spreading before detection.
Now undergoing aggressive treatment while awaiting a liver transplant, Candrilli advocates for changes in healthcare policies to ensure younger patients have access to preventive screenings. Her story exemplifies the growing concern about colorectal cancer rates among younger adults and the need for updated screening guidelines.
