Colon Cancer at 31: Timothy's Story

At just 31 years old, Timothy Walter never expected to hear the words “colon cancer.”  

But after experiencing worsening symptoms and finally undergoing further testing, that’s exactly what doctors discovered in 2025. 

The first signs appeared a few years prior, when Timothy noticed some unusual symptoms. His first doctor attributed his symptoms to hemorrhoids. However, when the symptoms returned a few years later, they were more severe, and Timothy decided it was time to advocate for himself.  

“Things had gotten so bad that I was almost passing out,” he said. “I knew I needed help, but I needed someone to take my problems seriously.”  

At WVU Medicine, Timothy underwent testing that revealed colon cancer between stage two and stage three.  

“Knowing that young people are more frequently being diagnosed with colon polyps or cancer, we decided to perform a colonoscopy, which revealed stage three colon cancer,” Dr. Vishal Gupta said. “Mr. Walter was subsequently evaluated by surgery and oncology.” 

Surgeons removed the cancerous portion of his colon and nearby lymph nodes, and Timothy underwent several months of chemotherapy. Today, roughly a year after surgery, Timothy is cancer-free and continues regular follow-up care with Gastroenterologist Dr. Vishal Gupta and the WVU Medicine team.  

“Since this necessary intervention, he has been evaluated in the clinic and scheduled for a repeat colonoscopy. We can now confirm that he is free of colon cancer,” Dr. Gupta added. “Colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. Awareness of colon cancer in the young is key to a good outcome.” 

Throughout the process, Timothy says the care he received helped ease the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis.  

“When you walk into the room, the whole staff makes you feel like you’re being taken care of. They show that they really care about you,” he said. “That makes such a difference. It really eased my mind from the beginning.”  

Now Timothy hopes his experience can help others recognize the importance of paying attention to their health, especially as colorectal cancer becomes more common in younger adults.  

“Definitely listen to your body,” he said. “If something feels wrong; speak up, advocate for yourself, and get it checked.”  

For Timothy, persistence ultimately led to the diagnosis and treatment that saved his life.  

To learn more about top-rated gastroenterology services at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, visit: Gastroenterology and Hepatology | WVU Medicine