Colon Cancer Survivor

Fierce Competitiveness Gives Survivor Strength

Professional racecar driver Scott Lagasse Jr. was on top of the world. At 33, he was running a successful business. He and his wife were fixing up their new home while they prepared for the birth of their first child. A colon cancer diagnosis was not part of the plan. Today, Scott is cancer-free, and he is active in promoting the importance of colon cancer awareness.

As a racecar driver, I stay in top physical condition. A friend convinced me to do a triathlon, so I was doing extra training to prepare. I began to feel a tenseness in my lower stomach. I also noticed very slight bleeding but attributed that to the intense cycling I was doing. The symptoms didn’t concern me, but having to stop every seven or 10 days to give my body a rest did. I’m a competitive, Type A person, and I didn’t like that something was slowing me down. I texted my doctor, who is also a close friend, and he recommended I see a GI doctor. I didn’t think it was necessary, but he stayed on me, so I made an appointment.

In my mind, I was seeing the doctor simply to talk about my symptoms. Imagine my surprise when he pulled out a rubber glove to do a rectal exam. I think he was a little taken aback at my reaction, which was something to the effect of, “The heck you are — not while I’m awake!” We compromised. He sent me home with instructions for a colonoscopy prep and plans for a thorough check the next day.

When the doctor called a few days later and asked me to come in, I assumed it was to give me the “all clear.” What else could it be? I felt great after the colonoscopy – light and fit – and I was back on my intense training schedule of cycling, swimming and playing basketball. I didn’t expect to learn that he’d found a tumor during the procedure that was one millimeter from breaking through the wall of my colon. I had Stage I colon cancer.

Within minutes, my personal doctor knew about my diagnosis. One of the perks of my career is that I’m surrounded by some really neat, smart people. I got on the phone immediately to consult with them and began assembling my medical team. The consensus was that I needed surgery, and I needed it right away.

Everything was happening so fast. I felt like I was in a whirlwind. I was only 33, and my wife, Kelley, was six months pregnant with our first child. I briefly toyed with the idea of not telling her because I didn’t want to upset her. But, really, how do you hide something like that? I told her, and she was a rock. (I think she has to be to live with me.)

At first, I went to some pretty dark places in my head, which was completely unlike me. I’m the thrill seeker who bungee jumped at 12 years old and drives racecars at 200 miles per hour, but this was different. I found myself thinking about my daughter growing up not knowing me, my parents and how hard it would be on them to lose a child, and my employees and their families who depended on me. Instead of giving in to those fears, I drew on my competitive nature and focused on beating the cancer.

I had the surgery immediately, and the surgeon removed eight inches of my colon. I was fortunate that I didn’t need any additional treatment. In fact, I was back in a racecar in six weeks. Someone was looking out for me.

Aside from my family and close friends, I kept the entire experience pretty quiet. It was personal, and I worried about what people would think about me professionally. Would they treat me differently? Would it hurt my career? Then something happened that made me realize being silent was absolutely not the right approach.

My cousin called me one evening and asked some very pointed questions about my symptoms and what they felt like. I answered his questions, but I couldn’t sleep that night. He and I are really close. He was the best man in my wedding. He is married with three kids and is just a good person. Was I being selfish by not talking about what I’d been through? I also realized that I had some guilt about how easy I had it in the grand scheme of things. I had health insurance, access to wonderful doctors and excellent care. I wished everyone could have the same experience I did. That’s when I mentally turned a corner. I knew that if speaking out could help even one person get screened or catch colon cancer early, it’d be worth it.

I got involved with some great organizations, including Fight Colorectal Cancer and American Cancer Society. I’ve never been one to talk about my feelings, but talking to people who’ve been through what I have is comforting. I made good friends through these groups whom I still have today.

I am cancer-free, and I feel great. And if you’re wondering, my cousin is healthy, too. I have a colonoscopy annually. After having the first one, I realized the test was no big deal, and I always look forward to getting the good news that I am healthy. Today, Kelley and I have two daughters who are just as stubborn and rambunctious as I am, and I love every minute of it.