Maria Kang, known for transforming her life through fitness and healthy eating, has faced an unexpected health crisis. Despite following what she believed were ideal health practices, Kang, a mother of three from California, was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Her fitness journey started in 2013 when a viral photo of her muscular physique with her three sons propelled her into the public eye. Captioned with the challenge, “What’s your excuse?”, the image earned her the moniker “No Excuse Mom” and spurred the creation of global wellness communities.
However, Kang’s world changed dramatically in November 2023, when doctors identified stage 4 colon cancer. This revelation shocked her, as she considered herself extremely healthy. Speaking to Fox News Digital, she expressed bewilderment at the diagnosis, saying, “I wanted to blame the food, but I didn’t eat bad food. I filtered my water. There was no excuse why I had this cancer.”
Looking back, Kang recalled ongoing digestive issues like chronic constipation and bloating since her teenage years, which worsened under stress.
Kang tried holistic treatments after a colonoscopy revealed a tumor. But when these methods failed to reduce the tumor size, she began a chemotherapy regimen known as FOLFOX in 2024. A subsequent emergency room visit due to complications indicated significant tumor shrinkage, allowing her to halt chemotherapy and opt for surgery.
“It was definitely a complete shock — because I was the healthiest person I knew.”
After surgery, which removed the tumor and about a foot of her colon, along with several reproductive organs and her appendix, Kang required colostomy and ileostomy. Now, she regularly undergoes blood tests and scans, showing no suspicious mass, though not formally declared free of disease.
Colorectal Cancer Trends
The American Cancer Society predicts that colorectal cancer will affect 158,850 Americans by 2026, with 55,230 fatalities this year alone. While incidents decline among older adults, cases among younger individuals are rising.
For adults under 50, colorectal cancer rates increased by 2.9% annually from 2013 to 2022, necessitating early screenings for those with risk factors.
Redefining Wellness
Kang’s ordeal has reshaped her understanding of health. She emphasized that outward appearances can be deceptive regarding true health status: “It was a really big, humbling look in the mirror when you say to yourself, ‘I look healthy, but I’m not healthy.'”
Her fitness and diet routines have changed significantly. She now exercises only when she chooses, favoring walking and dancing while still enjoying strength training.
Her dietary perspective no longer compartmentalizes foods as good or bad. Kang seeks balance, regularly consuming fruits and vegetables but remains open to other foods too.
Kang wants to convey that even adherent health habits don’t guarantee cancer prevention, highlighting that anyone could be affected.
“Health is not what you think it is,” she said. “It’s not just how you look. It’s how you feel.”
The American Cancer Society advises seeking medical consultation for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, like stool changes, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, to rule out non-cancer causes.