In an emotional open letter published Monday, Simone Boseman—the widow of late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman—warned young people not to dismiss the “whisper” symptoms of colon cancer after her husband’s tragic 2020 diagnosis at age 43. “If Chad hadn’t listened to the alarm bells, we might not have had those last precious months together,” she wrote on Instagram, urging followers to act on early warning signs that are often mistaken for stress or digestive woes.
@SimoneBoseman “Don’t let subtle changes become silent tragedies—listen to your body, get screened early.” Simone’s plea on X
Colon cancer rates among adults under 50 have more than doubled in the past three decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet less than 20 percent of Millennials have ever discussed colonoscopies or stool-based tests with their doctors, a Pew Research Center report found. Simone’s warning underscores the disconnect between rising incidence and public awareness.
“Most people think colon cancer is an ‘old person disease,’” Dr. Anthony Marshall of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center told CNN Health. “But data show that one in seven cases now occur in patients under 50. They present with nonspecific symptoms—fatigue, mild abdominal discomfort, or changes in bowel habits—that get chalked up to diet or stress.”
@AmericanCancer “Rising CRC rates in under-50s—know the signs: persistent bowel changes, unexplained weight loss, fatigue.” ACS advisory
Simone Boseman revealed that Chadwick first experienced “occasional cramps and lingering tiredness” while shooting the final Avengers film. “He brushed it off as exhaustion,” she recalled in a moving interview with People magazine. “Only when frank bleeding began did he get checked—by then, the cancer was stage III.”
The American Cancer Society now recommends that average-risk adults begin screening at age 45, down from 50, but awareness lags. Simone’s letter highlighted five subtle red flags, each backed by research in the JAMA Oncology Journal:
1. Persistent fatigue despite rest. 2. Minor but ongoing abdominal discomfort or bloating. 3. Changes in stool consistency—looser, narrower, or more frequent. 4. Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia causing breathlessness. 5. Occasional rectal bleeding, even if bright red or mixed with stool.
@NIH “Early CRC symptoms mimic common GI issues—don’t wait more than two weeks to seek evaluation.” NIH health alert
“Any persistent change in bowel habits should prompt discussion,” advises Dr. Marshall. Stool-based tests like FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) are now available over-the-counter, and telehealth services can facilitate preliminary screening. “These noninvasive tests catch up to 79 percent of cancers early,” says Dr. Marshall, “and they’re simple—no prep, no scope.”
Simone’s message resonated online: under #ListenToTheWhisper, 24-year-old TikTok creator @HealthWithHannah shared her own story of discovering early-stage cancer after months of mild abdominal pain. “I thought it was IBS,” Hannah confessed. “My doctor offered a FIT kit, and boom—positive. I had a polyp removed before it turned deadly.” Her video has 4 million views and sparked calls for more routine screening.
@HealthWithHannah “I almost ignored the small signs—glad I got tested. Don’t be like me, act early.” Teen survivor tweet
Echoing Hannah, Simone emphasized community support. She’s partnered with the Colon Cancer Coalition to launch a youth outreach campaign, distributing free FIT kits at college campuses nationwide. “Creative funding from the Boseman Foundation means no student pays a cent,” she announced at a press event covered by NBC News.
Political leaders took notice. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D–IL) tweeted her support for a bipartisan bill to lower the Medicare screening age to 45 and fund community health grants. “Chadwick’s legacy lives on through action—our bill will save thousands of lives,” she declared under #ScreenEarlySaveLives.
@SenDuckworth “Our bipartisan act expands CRC screening and education—early detection is nonnegotiable.” Legislative tweet
Still, barriers persist: fear of invasive procedures, lack of insurance, and misconceptions about cancer risk. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation report found 32 percent of uninsured adults under 50 skip preventive screenings due to cost. Simone’s campaign addresses these hurdles by providing grant-funded vouchers for uninsured individuals through community clinics.
Dr. Karen Lopez, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic, applauds the initiative. “Removing financial obstacles and misinformation will empower younger generations to get screened,” she said in a statement released by the Colon Cancer Coalition. “It’s a model for public-health advocacy.”
@MayoClinic “Proactive screening among 45–49 year-olds could prevent thousands of CRC deaths annually.” Cancer research tweet
Simone closed her letter with a heartfelt encouragement: “Chad’s journey was short, but his story saved lives already. If one person gets screened because of this message, his legacy continues bright.” The Boseman Foundation’s website features survivor testimonies, downloadable symptom checklists, and educational webinars—resources accessible at no cost to anyone concerned about colon health.
As young adults grapple with stress, busy schedules, and pandemic hangovers, Simone’s warning is a stark reminder that “whispers” from our bodies demand attention. Don’t let subtle symptoms become silent tragedies—listen to the whisper, act on the alarm, and talk to your doctor today.
