Albany Surgeon and Survivor Push Life-Saving Cancer Screening

Tyleia Harrell never expected to hear the words "stage 3 colon cancer" at age 46, but a delayed colonoscopy in October 2024 changed everything.

The Albany native underwent surgery and months of grueling chemotherapy. By June 2025, she received the news every cancer patient dreams of: clean scans.

Now Harrell is turning her hardest battle into her most important mission. She's partnering with Dr. Thomas Tritt, a colorectal surgeon with Capital District Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates, to advocate for earlier screening during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Tritt shared a fact that might surprise you. "Colonoscopy is the only tool in medicine that can actually prevent cancer," he said.

The procedure is remarkably safe with minimal complications, yet fear keeps too many people away. That hesitation can be deadly, especially now that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50.

The statistics hit even harder for Black Americans. African Americans have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S., and it's the third leading cause of cancer death in both Black men and women. Later-stage diagnosis and systemic barriers make the problem worse.

Dr. Tritt's advice is clear: if you have personal or family history, your risk factors start at 40. But here's the catch most people don't realize screening is crucial even without symptoms.

Why This Inspires

Harrell could have quietly celebrated her recovery and moved on with her life. Instead, she's choosing to share her story publicly, knowing it might convince someone to schedule that appointment they've been putting off.

Dr. Tritt didn't have to join her advocacy work, but he understands that medical expertise combined with personal testimony creates powerful change. Together, they're proving that survivors and their doctors can be the loudest voices for prevention.

Their partnership shows us something beautiful: when people transform pain into purpose, they create ripples that save lives far beyond their own.