John Lambert | Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
John Lambert never expected that a small growth under his beard would set off a journey that would lead to not one—but two—cancer diagnoses. A husband, father, and now fierce advocate for early detection, John’s story is one of resilience, grit, and the power of community.
His first cancer diagnosis came in 2022, when what he believed was just a pimple turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, and 30 rounds of radiation followed. But it wasn’t until Father’s Day 2023 that John’s world was shaken again.
Severe abdominal pain landed him in the ER, where a CT scan pointed to diverticulitis. After a few days on IV antibiotics, John was relieved to feel better—but something still didn’t sit right. By October 2023, symptoms returned. Another scan revealed a 5 cm mass in his colon. A colonoscopy confirmed it: Signet Ring Carcinoma, Stage 3B.
“I went in thinking I might be facing another infection,” John shared. “I walked out with a cancer diagnosis.”
What followed was major abdominal surgery. Though his surgical team initially hoped for a laparoscopic procedure, the tumor’s spread into the colon wall meant a full abdominal incision and partial colectomy. Fortunately, John avoided needing a colostomy bag. After eight weeks of recovery, the next chapter began: oncology.
His oncologist discussed treatment options, including the importance of genetic testing—a decision that would change John’s life. Three rounds into chemotherapy, a PET scan revealed a new spot near his pelvis, bumping him to Stage 4. But around the same time, results from his genetic testing came in: Lynch Syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases cancer risk. This discovery allowed his care team to switch him from chemotherapy to immunotherapy with Keytruda.
Just four rounds later, another scan brought incredible news: No Evidence of Disease (NED).
“I’ve been NED since July 2024,” John says proudly. “I still go every three months for scans and bloodwork, but every visit reminds me how far I’ve come.”
Support has played a huge role in John’s healing. Initially joining a colon cancer group on Facebook, he kept seeing references to something called Colon Town, which led him to Man Up to Cancer. He received a message from Joe Bullock and instantly felt a connection.
“I’ve always loved wolves—spirit animal kind of thing,” John said. “When I saw the Man Up to Cancer logo, it felt like a sign. I signed up for the Gathering of Wolves retreat that same year. It was the best thing I could’ve done.”
Meeting other men who understood his journey gave John the reassurance and connection he didn’t know he needed.
“My side effects? Normal. My fear of dying? Normal. And seeing other guys come out the other side? That gave me hope.”
Now, John is focused on advocacy—especially around early colonoscopy screenings and genetic testing.
“We need to normalize colonoscopies. They’re not painful. The prep is the worst part—and even that is just a day. If it saves your life, it’s worth every bit of discomfort.” He adds, “And genetic testing should be mainstream. If I hadn’t had mine, I may have never made it to immunotherapy—and NED.”
John turns 50 this May. With every milestone, every scan, and every conversation, he’s pushing back against stigma, misinformation, and fear—turning his cancer story into a call to action.
