Too Young for Cancer: One Woman’s Battle for Diagnosis and a Fighting Chance

A stage IV cancer survivor reflects on treatment and recovery in this inspiring memoir that reveals the biases of the healthcare system--and the power of community.

New Year’s Eve 2020 was supposed to be a turning point to better days for twenty-nine-year-old Katie Coleman. Instead, she found herself in the ER processing the earth-shattering news of a stage IV cancer diagnosis, one that had come after years of being assured she was ＂too young for cancer＂ and a repeated misdiagnosis of anxiety.

Too Young for Cancer tells the story of Katie’s journey from diagnosis with an ultrarare cancer through treatment, recovery, and a life-altering shift in perspective. Katie starts her journey shy, timid, and frightened of an intimidating medical world, but as she learns how to advocate for herself, she faces her own mortality with bravery and finds herself at top cancer institutions arguing her case for a radical and high-risk surgery that could change her life forever.

With support from her husband, innovative doctors, and a diverse community of cancer survivors, Katie finds her life’s purpose to advocate not only for herself but also for others who are fighting just as hard for their lives.

Too Young for Cancer highlights the absolute best and worst in healthcare and uncovers the silver linings and beauty of humanity filling the space in between.

Katie Coleman is a software engineer at the Rare Cancer Research Foundation, the founder of the non-profit the Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance, and the host of the podcast Oncology Unscripted. Katie has built a robust social media presence by sharing her cancer story since she was diagnosed in January 2020. Her story has been shared by NBC, Today, CBS, Cure, and many others. Find out more about Katie at katiekickscancer.com.