New Jersey sisters battle stage 4 colon cancer together

NEW YORK (PIX11) – The American Cancer Society cites colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer among Latina and Hispanic women. 

Eloisa Oquendo and Joyce Melo are two Dominican sisters battling this illness and getting ready to go through chemotherapy together.

“Sometimes I still can’t believe this is our life, honestly. It kind of feels like you are living a nightmare,” said Joyce.

“What are the chances that two sisters get diagnosed back-to-back with the same diagnosis that’s almost unheard of,” added Eloisa. 

They share a lot more than their sister bond. They are both in their late 30s and currently battling stage four colon cancer.  It started back in February 2021 when Eloisa experienced extreme lower abdominal pain and had to undergo emergency surgery.

“That’s when they discovered the cancer.” She had just turned 37 and was facing one of the biggest challenges of her life. “The doctor came in, and I was by myself, and told me I had stage four colon cancer.”

Eloisa had two major back-to-back surgeries. 

She endured 24 rounds of chemotherapy, and after being in remission and having another surgery earlier this year, the cancer is back. Now, she’s getting ready to go through more chemotherapy, and this time, she won’t be alone.

“My bowel movements weren’t the same. I felt something in my stomach,” said Joyce

In March of this year, a trip to the emergency room would reveal Joyce had appendicitis. She chose to undergo surgery to get her appendix removed, but an easy surgery turned into a significant procedure.

“It was confirmed that something is going on,” says Joyce, adding roughly three years after her sister Eloisa was first diagnosed, Joyce, at 37 years old, learned she had cancer. Further testing would show the cancer had spread to her lungs “I went from stage 1 to stage 4 colon.”

According to doctors’ colorectal cancer, if caught early, can be curable. The key is to speak to your doctor about the right time to get screened. Dr. Gregory Charak, colorectal surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center, says early detection within the Hispanic population can be challenging.

“Our rates nationally for screening of the Hispanic population are lower than they are for the rest of the population,” he says family history is the number one risk factor for developing this type of cancer. He adds although colorectal cancer has been declining in the United States, the rates among young people ages 20 to 49 are steadily increasing.” 

The warning signs to look for are changes in your stooling if it starts to have blood in it, particularly any new constipation or diarrhea.

As part of her treatment, Joyce also had part of her right lung removed, and in the coming months, she is set to have part of her colon removed. While she waits for her cancer treatment to start, she’s also wondering how she will pay for it.

 “It makes me angry; how does insurance not cover chemotherapy, like how is that not an option? Says her sister, Eloisa.

In the meantime, both sisters are sharing their stories with one goal in mind.

 “I just wanted to bring awareness and hopefully open people’s eyes and make sure they stay on top of their health.”

To donate to Joyce’s treatment, you can visit here.