On Dylan Kurtz’s 16th birthday in 2020, his father, Jonathan, began chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer. Dylan said he knew little about colon cancer beyond the basics and felt unsure about his dad’s outlook until Jonathan described the planned radiation and chemotherapy.
Marianne Pearson, MSW, LCSW, vice president of Cancer Care at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, says honest, age-appropriate communication and oncology-trained support can reduce fear for children. After his dad explained the treatments, Dylan realized how much the diagnosis would affect the whole family.
Because Jonathan’s treatment left him immunocompromised during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kurtz family changed routines to limit exposure to germs. Runs and baseball games gave way to quieter activities the family could do safely at home. Dylan and his dad assembled 1,000-piece puzzles of baseball stadiums, some of which now hang in Dylan’s room and his dad’s office.
Dylan also took on more household responsibilities, including cooking and cleaning, and caring for his older brother, Steven, who has autism. With summer camps canceled in 2020, Dylan created “Camp Kurtz,” planning activities that mixed life skills—like tying shoes and vacuuming—with backyard play, movies, and long walks with the family dog, Piper. These efforts helped keep Steven engaged while their parents focused on treatment.
Today, Jonathan is cancer-free and follows ongoing screenings. The diagnosis taught Dylan about prevention and family risk. His father carries a gene mutation that raises colorectal cancer risk for family members who also inherit it. Dylan plans genetic testing and a colonoscopy; if he carries the mutation, he may need to start screening much earlier—around age 25. He also avoids smoking and pays attention to his diet, thinking about long-term health.
Cedrek McFadden, MD, medical advisor for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, advises that children of a parent with colorectal cancer have higher risk and should begin screening earlier—typically at age 40 or 10 years before the parent’s diagnosis, whichever comes first. He recommends considering genetic counseling and testing, especially when cancer occurs at a younger age or there’s a strong family history, to check for inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome.
Dylan teamed up with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to produce a blog post and video for teens about screening and support resources. He wanted to raise awareness as colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in U.S. adults under 50.
Dylan’s tips for teens with a parent facing colon cancer:
– Avoid searching the general internet for answers unless you use trusted sources. Online searches often return worst-case stories that aren’t realistic for every family.
– Expect family responsibilities to change and be willing to help with chores, but communicate if you feel overwhelmed.
– Find new, low-energy ways to spend time together—puzzles, podcasts, or shows can create meaningful moments.
– Ask for help. Tell teachers, coaches, or a school counselor what’s happening so they can offer support. Talk with friends and relatives, and consider professional mental health help if needed.
Tom Milam, MD, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Iris Telehealth, notes that children may react differently—some ask many questions, others withdraw—but beneath the surface are often grief, fear, and sadness. He recommends that parents and oncology teams consider behavioral health support or family counseling to prevent the cancer’s emotional impact from becoming prolonged trauma.
