Raising Awareness and Advocating for Young Colorectal Cancer Patients: An Interview with Katell Maguet

Marching for Awareness: Blue March and Colorectal Cancer Advocacy

March is recognized as Blue March, a month dedicated to raising awareness about colorectal cancer. This global initiative emphasizes the importance of prevention, screening, early detection, and patient support, particularly for young adults who are increasingly being diagnosed with the disease.

As part of this awareness effort, the SIOP Global Health Network AYA Working Group has launched an interview series, Charlas de Café (Coffee Talks), to shed light on critical issues faced by adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer.

This working group, co-chaired by Ruzanna Papyan and Gabriela Villanueva, is committed to addressing the unique challenges that AYAs encounter in their cancer journey.

In this edition of Coffee Talks, the SIOP Global Health Network AYA Working Group had the opportunity to speak with Katell Maguet about her journey, her advocacy work, and the initiatives she is involved in to change the narrative around colorectal cancer.

A Personal Journey Turned into a Mission

Originally from France, Katell moved to the Netherlands in 2016. With a background in live sciences and applied statistics, she has always had a passion for research. However, her life took an unexpected turn in February 2021 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 40.

Facing a disease she knew little about, Katell experienced firsthand the challenges young patients face when navigating diagnosis and treatment.

Determined to make a difference, she has since dedicated herself to raising awareness, advocating for early detection, and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer patients. As part of this commitment, she completed the EUPATI patient expert training program last year, to further develop her advocacy skills.

Amplifying Patient Voices Through Storytelling

One of the key projects Katell is involved in is the book You’re Young, But It Might Be Cancer, which shares the stories of young colorectal cancer patients. The book serves as a powerful tool to highlight the unique challenges faced by younger individuals with this disease, from delayed diagnoses to the impact on their personal and professional lives.

Through these stories, Katell hopes to foster greater awareness and encourage earlier screenings. She translated it into French to make it accessible to a wider audience. The book can be accessed here: You’re Young, But It Might Be Cancer – English version/French version.

Advocacy Through DiCE: A Collective Effort for Change

Katell is also actively engaged with Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), a European non-profit umbrella organization that unites patient groups and stakeholders dedicated to digestive cancers. Through its advocacy, research, and awareness-raising efforts, DiCE supports patients and caregivers, working towards improving survival rates and quality of life.

The organization plays a crucial role in ensuring equal access to high-quality treatment and early diagnosis across Europe. More about their work can be found here.

Promoting Early Detection: The Importance of Screening

Recognizing the critical role of early detection, Katell is also involved in initiatives such as The Wonderful Colon, a platform emphasizing the importance of screening programs and symptom awareness in colorectal cancer.

The website provides valuable resources to help individuals understand the signs of colorectal cancer and the need for timely medical intervention. Learn more here.

A Call to Action

Katell’s story is a testament to the power of patient advocacy and the impact that personal experiences can have on driving change. Through her work, she is helping to shift the conversation around colorectal cancer, ensuring that younger patients are not overlooked and that early detection becomes a priority.

Her efforts, along with organizations like DiCE, are crucial in championing a future where colorectal cancer is diagnosed sooner, treated effectively, and ultimately prevented whenever possible.

By sharing her journey and supporting research and awareness campaigns, Katell continues to be a beacon of hope for many facing similar challenges. Her message is clear: colorectal cancer does not discriminate by age, and early awareness can save lives.

Read OncoDaily’s special post for this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.