Health - Wellness
RHOA Star Gregg Leakes' Cause Of Death Explained
By KIMBERLY SMITH
Gregg Leakes, the husband of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes, was first diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2018 and began chemotherapy treatment. He had surgery and became cancer-free in September 2019, before it returned and took his life in September 2021.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death in young adults, and people born after 1990 are twice as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer than people born in 1950. Colon cancer begins in the lower part of the large intestine or rectum and can go undiagnosed until it reaches late stages, much like it did in Gregg Leakes' case.
Sometimes, symptoms of colon cancer do not appear right away and can often be misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or even hemorrhoids. In the early stages, polyps can appear, and sometimes a tumor will create a blockage in the intestine, which makes it easier to identify.
Most cases of colon cancer occur in older individuals, and it seems that people with other intestinal issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease, have an increased chance of developing colon cancer. In addition, familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome, which are genetic disorders, increase the risk of colon cancer.
Most physicians recommend rectal screenings and removing polyps when they are found to reduce the risk of developing cancer. To help reduce your risk, staying physically active and eating a diet high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables are recommended.