Executive Beats Stage 3 Colon Cancer After Delayed Screening

When Amber Mike saw blood in the toilet in early 2023, she brushed it off as nothing serious. The 44-year-old BET Media Group vice president was too busy traveling for work to worry about what seemed like a minor issue.

Her gynecologist urged her to get a colonoscopy immediately, but Mike delayed for months. "I'm a very active person and was living a high-octane life," she said, explaining why she put off the appointment.

When she finally went in for the procedure in May 2023, doctors delivered shocking news the moment she woke up. They had found a tumor and Mike had stage 3 colorectal cancer.

Within days, Mike was at City of Hope's National Cancer Center in California starting an intense treatment journey. Her first round of chemotherapy hit immediate complications when she had an allergic reaction that dropped her white blood cell count dangerously low.

What should have been two-hour infusions stretched to eight hours as doctors adjusted her dosage. Mike lost her sense of taste and dropped 40 pounds during six grueling rounds of treatment.

Surgery followed to remove five inches of her colon and the tumor, but tests still showed cancer in her bloodstream. She faced six more rounds of chemotherapy, finally completing treatment in April 2024.

Dr. Krushangi Patel, Mike's oncologist, notes that early-onset colorectal cancer in people under 50 is rising sharply. It's projected to become the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in 2026, right after lung cancer.

Why This Inspires

Mike didn't just survive; she transformed her experience into action. In fall 2023, while still weak from her first chemotherapy round, a friend invited her to a City of Hope fundraising dinner where she connected with music industry leaders supporting cancer research.

Two years later, she stood before 900 people at the Spirit of Life Gala sharing her story. "It was terrifying," Mike admitted, "but knowing I can make an impact with my experience is special."

Now the creative executive uses those same professional skills for cancer advocacy and outreach. She participates in Walk for Hope, City of Hope's annual fundraiser that brings survivors and supporters together to fund research and patient care.

Mike wants others to learn from her mistake of delaying screening. Her message is simple: listen to your body and don't wait.