The Amanda Mann Clark Project

About Us

The AMC Project Mission Statement

Our mission is to increase awareness of early onset colorectal cancer, fight for access to preventative screenings, promote available support for patients and families, and to inspire efforts in funding critical research. The organization will achieve the aforementioned goals by local and regional fundraising through community activities and special events, conduct outreach projects to increase awareness of early onset colorectal cancer through educational forums held within the community, and promote critical research through financial support and volunteer hours.

Call to Action for Physicians and Nurse Practitioners

Recognize that younger Americans under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with CRC earlier, and death rates are increasing (1), that the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends CRC screening to now begin at 45 years of age (2), and that even Americans younger than 45 can benefit from screening because when CRC is found earlier, it is easier to treat – thus saving more lives (1).

Consider implementing the following CRC screening measures into your current practice, as appropriate:

Implement stool-based studies for average risk patients (5)
Refer to Do’s and Don’ts list for CRC screening (4)
Immediate referral to GI for any acute symptoms suspicious of CRC

1 Siegel, R.L., et al. (05 March 2020). Colorectal cancer statistics, 2020. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 70 (3), 145-164. Retrieved January 11, 2021, from https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21601.

2 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (27 October 2020). Draft Recommendation Statement, colorectal cancer: screening. Retrieved January 11, 2021, from https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening3.

4 American Cancer Society. (2019). A provider’s guide to colorectal cancer screening. Retrieved January 11, 2021, from http://nccrt.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Dos-And-Donts-Of-Colorectal-Screening-For-Clinicians-NCCRT-Version.pdf.

5 American Cancer Society. (2019). Clinician’s Reference, stool-based tests for colorectal cancer screening. Retrieved January 11, 2021, from http://nccrt.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/IssueBrief_FOBT_CliniciansRef-09282019.pdf.

Amanda's Story

Amanda Mann Clark was a 35-year-old Nurse Practitioner, wife, and mother of two that presented to her Primary Care Physician with a transient episode of rectal bleeding and chronic sacral pain post the birth of her second child, with a hemoglobin of 12mg/dl at assessment. Initially, she was diagnosed with IBS constipation and hemorrhoids by a GI specialist because she was young, postpartum, and had no family history of cancers. Three months later, her colonoscopy revealed a rectal tumor and she was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer.

On September 15, 2021 - approximately one year after her initial diagnosis, several rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries and hospitalizations - Amanda passed away, leaving family and friends that love her dearly and will miss her forever.

After her diagnosis, Amanda developed a passion for educating others about early-onset Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Younger Americans under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with CRC earlier, and death rates are increasing (1). Hence, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends CRC screening to now begin at 45 years of age (2). However, even Americans younger than 45 can benefit from screening because when CRC is found earlier, it is easier to treat – thus saving more lives (1).

A 2018 survey of 1,195 CRC patients by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance revealed the following:

57% diagnosed between the ages of 40-50
71% diagnosed at an advanced stage
72% did NOT have a family history of CRC
Top 3 symptoms: bloody stool (50%), diarrhea or constipation (37% and 50%, respectively), and bloating (43%)
56% had 3 or more symptoms (3).

3 Colorectal Cancer Alliance. (2018). Young onset colorectal cancer survey report. Retrieved January 11, 2021, from https://www.ccalliance.org/about/never-too-young/survey/2018-young-onset-colorectal-cancer-survey-report.

Call to Action for Patients

Talk to your Physician or Nurse Practitioner about getting a colonoscopy, even if you are under the age of 45 and have no family history of CRC, and especially if you are having symptoms. Symptoms include:

A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one
Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
Weakness and fatigue
Unintended weight loss

Go to the American Cancer Society for more information about signs and symptoms of Colorectal Cancer. Colorectal Cancer Signs and Symptoms | Signs of Colorectal Cancer