GREENSBORO, N.C. — She’s gone from cancer fighter to cancer survivor! WFMY News 2 Anchor, Julie Luck, is making a big comeback after beating colon cancer.
Julie has been waiting months for this special day to arrive, so she could ring the Cancer Survivor's Bell at Cone Health Hospital.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time and I’m so happy that it’s here,” Julie said in front of a crowd of supporters.
Julie thanked her family, friends, doctors and nurses and her WFMY News 2 work family before ringing the bell.
“Thank you to the viewers, all the people that I’ve never met, fellow cancer patients and survivors. I thank them for all their support. The cancer journey can be very lonely, but I never felt lonely from the cards, the posts, the messages, the gifts, the flowers and the list goes on. I’ve been surrounded by love since the very beginning," Julie said.
Then the moment came for what she's waited for so long to do.
“Cancer not today, not ever! You picked the wrong person and I’m ringing the bell,” she said before ringing it proudly.
Julie sounded the bell just one day before she returns to WFMY News 2.
She said her journey doesn’t stop here and that she will need to be monitored for five years for colon cancer. She will receive regular CT scans, blood work and colonoscopies to check for a possible recurrence.
Julie has shared her cancer journey from the day she announced it on WFMY News 2 until the last round of her chemo treatment and now ringing that special bell.
She's thankful to all of our viewers who have supported her during this time. From cards to well-wishes on social media, emails, calls, texts, and gifts. Julie said she has an army of people who are watching over her, praying for her, and encouraging her.
"The positivity will get you through," Julie said. "I have this silent army, I might not see them, but I know they're there. Knowing people care to take the time has been awe-inspiring."
When Julie was diagnosed, it came as a shock, but immediately she knew she didn't want it to come as a shock to others.
"There's a saying, 'Don't waste your cancer.' That struck a chord with me," Julie said. "If I can encourage more people to get screenings, and those screenings save lives, that's me not wasting my cancer."
Julie wants to make sure you don't delay and to schedule your colonoscopy.
Take a short quiz to learn more about which screening options are best for you based on your personal risk factors.
Here are three things to know about colon cancer, including who’s at risk, symptoms, and other risk factors.
1. People most at-risk for getting colon cancer:
- Anyone with a family history
- Someone with irritable bowel syndrome
- African Americans have a 20% increased risk over white people
2. Risk factors for colon cancer:
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Obesity
- Diet high in red meat
- Diet low in fruits and vegetables
3. Symptoms of colon cancer:
- Persistent change in bowel habits
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Blood in stool
- Abdominal pain
- Discomfort
- Cramps
If you have questions about specific screening tests, who should be screened and when, or anything else related to colon cancer screening, we encourage you to talk with your doctor or call the toll-free helpline at (877) 422-2030.
Find out more resources about colon screenings.