Jess Grossman is no stranger to sharing details of her life online. The 36-year-old model and entrepreneur has built an online following as an advocate for stoma awareness. Grossman, who lives in Toronto, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and colitis as a child and underwent surgery to remove her colon. Although most of her life has been plagued by health issues, Grossman now faces another battle: rectal cancer.

In October 2025, Grossman was celebrating Thanksgiving with a grateful heart. She had just thrown a big party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her marketing agency when she began experiencing persistent pelvic pain.

“Two weeks later I found out I had cancer,” she said. Yahoo Canada.

different kind of pain

Grossman experienced recurring pelvic pain that would disappear after a few days. Her doctor suspected endometriosis, but Crohn’s disease made it difficult to get a formal diagnosis, she says. But this time, the pain didn’t go away, and her doctor advised her to go to the ER.

Grossman said ER staff “dismissed” her pain as being caused by endometriosis until they saw the CT scan results.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified health professional before engaging in any physical activity or making any changes to your diet, medications, or lifestyle.

“The doctor came back into the room and said something strange was going on there and we needed to investigate,” she recalled, adding that the problem was her rectum, not her pelvis.

Grossman is ostomy After discovering a pouch in place of a colon, doctors became interested in her rectal stump, the part of her rectum that remained but was not connected to the flow of stool. Two weeks after the biopsy, and just four weeks in total after symptoms started, Grossman was diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Cases of colorectal cancer are increasing in people under 50, Currently one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer in Canada.

According to Canadian Cancer Society, Approximately 26,400 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2025, and an estimated 25 people will die from colorectal cancer every day.

“We knew it was a possibility.”

When Grossman had his colon removed at age 13, the decision was made to keep a stump of his rectum. Removing the entire rectum would also be a major surgery. The rectum is also highly susceptible to sepsis, resulting in a “significant proportion” of septic complications. when removed.

Besides the long recovery time, Risk of sexual dysfunction As well as the development of scar tissue It can cause infertility problems.

When compared to the “low” risk of rectal stump onset of cancerThe plan was for Grossman to have a preserved rectal stump and undergo frequent scans to monitor for signs of cancer. The last MRI scan in May 2025 showed normal results.

“Basically, we caught it as soon as it appeared. But that’s just because I have a rectum that I’m not using. So I shouldn’t feel anything in there.”

The cancer was initially somewhere between stage 2 and 3. “Due to where the cancer is starting, it’s difficult to tell if it has spread to the uterus,” she said.

At this time, chemotherapy remains the best treatment before undergoing surgery to completely remove the rectal stump.

“They said I would need eight rounds of chemotherapy, every two weeks for 16 weeks,” Grossman said. “For me, the goal of this whole thing is to remove the rectum. We’re not going to save any organs. We just need to move the cancer to a place where we can remove the rectum.”

“It doesn’t help with preparation.”

Grossman is nervous about the side effects of chemotherapy. Her father, who passed away in 2009, was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis. She vividly remembers how sick he felt during chemotherapy and a subsequent bone marrow transplant, with his immune system severely compromised.

Grossman felt especially anxious before his first round of chemotherapy, having watched his father get sick.

“I haven’t received any specific advice from medical professionals,” she says. She said she emailed her team a list of questions about what to expect ahead of treatment. “They said, ‘Oh, I’ll tell you at your first chemo appointment, and we’ll give it a go.’ Do you think that’ll make you feel better…? After you’ve already started treatment and you’re feeling fatigued? I can’t believe this is the normal way of operating. It doesn’t help you prepare.”

Grossman credits her more than 30,000 Instagram followers with preparing her mentally for chemotherapy. When she announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer, she was flooded with messages from people sharing tips on what they needed for treatment and what to bring. Others shared motivational and positive messages simply to lift her spirits.

“We couldn’t do this without them,” she said.

Early detection saves lives

Her colorectal surgeon expects chemotherapy to be enough to prepare her for surgery, but if the tumor doesn’t shrink enough, radiation therapy could be the next step.

The surgery, known as protective surgery, can be extensive. In addition to removing the rectal stump, this surgery is referred to as the “Barbie Butt” surgery. patient community This is because the anus must be removed and sutured closed.

“You’re removing a large part of your body,” Grossman said. “Think about your butt. It’s connected to your core,” she said. “So having that surgery means literally stitching up the hole. I won’t be able to move for months. I won’t be able to sit up. So it’s a really big surgery.”

Now, Grossman is using his platform to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection.

In a recent post on Instagram, she told her followers that her cancer might never have been discovered if she hadn’t advocated for herself in the ER.

“Early detection is the answer, but if you don’t get tested, you won’t catch it…” she said. “If I can save one life with this reel, I will have done something worthwhile.”

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