Early Detection Made the Difference

By Carrie Anna Strange

A nurse with more than three decades in healthcare, Delinda Coan, a resident of Laurinburg, North Carolina, had assisted with countless colonoscopies during her career. She knew the routine and knew the preparations required. But, like many people, even those who work in healthcare, she did not truly believe she needed a colonoscopy.

“I just didn’t think it was necessary,” Delinda said. “I really didn’t believe in them.”

After a routine Cologuard® test ordered by her primary care physician came back positive, she was advised to follow up with a colonoscopy. With no symptoms and no family history of colorectal cancer, she was not concerned and put it off for almost a year.

One of Delinda’s friends in Manning, South Carolina, encouraged her to see Dr. Devonne Barrineau at McLeod Surgery Clarendon in Manning. Delinda was between travel nursing contracts, with only a short window of time available to schedule her colonoscopy.

Although Dr. Barrineau had originally planned to be on vacation, he adjusted his schedule and Delinda’s colonoscopy was performed just days after her first appointment with him. Reluctant but determined to get it over with, she went through with the procedure and returned home the same day.

As a nurse, Delinda reviewed her paperwork afterward and noticed something that concerned her. She recognized that a finding had been documented. A few days later, Dr. Barrineau personally called her and stressed the importance of keeping her follow-up appointment. He wanted to speak with her directly.

When they met, Dr. Barrineau took time to sit down with Delinda and carefully explain what he had found. The colonoscopy had revealed cancer. He discussed her options, answered her questions, and made sure she understood what the course of treatment would involve. That personal approach immediately built trust.

“I explained to Delinda that during the colonoscopy, I found a lesion in her sigmoid colon that was too large to removed during the procedure,” said Dr. Barrineau. “Internally, I marked the area of the lesion on the outside of the colon so it could be easily located if surgery were required, and sent a sample to the pathology laboratory to be biopsied. The results indicated she had colon cancer.”

“I trusted him,” Delinda said. “He took the time to explain everything, and I felt confident in his care.” In the fall of 2025, Delinda underwent a colon resection at McLeod Health Clarendon. Dr. Barrineau removed a portion of her sigmoid colon along with nearby lymph nodes to ensure the cancer had not spread. She spent four days in the hospital and describes the experience as overwhelmingly positive despite having been recently diagnosed with cancer.

“The nurses were wonderful, and the care I received was exceptional.”

Because her cancer was caught at an early stage, Delinda did not require radiation or chemotherapy. “Early detection through cancer screening is so important,” said Dr. Barrineau. “Younger people are being diagnosed with colon cancer more frequently. Many believe 50 is the age to begin screening, but the American Cancer Society now recommends colonoscopies begin at age 45, or earlier if a person has symptoms or a family history of colon cancer.”

“I tell people all the time, even if you have no symptoms, get screened. By the time you have symptoms, your cancer may have already become advanced,” said Delinda.

Pathology confirmed that the cancer had been fully removed and had not metastasized. Delinda returned to work six weeks later and remains under close follow-up care, with yearly colonoscopies planned.

Now working as a hospice travel nurse, Delinda sees firsthand what advanced cancer can do to patients and their families. That experience makes her even more grateful that her cancer was caught early.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “I almost didn’t go. If you are putting off a colonoscopy, don’t. It saved my life. The polyp Dr. Barrineau found was flat, which made it harder to see that it was cancer. If I had waited any longer, the outcome could have been very different,” added Delinda.

Having worked in healthcare at many other hospitals, Delinda recognized the difference in the level of attention and compassion she received. So impressed by her experience with McLeod, she transferred her primary care to McLeod Primary Care Clarendon, a decision she says reflects the trust she now has in the care she received.

With no symptoms, no family history, and every reason to believe she was healthy, Delinda never expected a cancer diagnosis. Now, she openly shares her story with others.