Lauren Domitrovitz, of Sparkhill, was only 40 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer - which is five years younger than the age that health officials recommend starting colorectal cancer screenings.

She shared her story during Colorectal Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness of getting checked for the deadly disease.

Domitrovitz originally went to the doctor over what she believed were "food sensitivities."

Soon after, she had a colonoscopy, which turned out to find something more serious.

"When they did my colonoscopy, they found that I had State 3 colon cancer because I had a tumor in my colon, and it had spread to my lymph nodes," said Domitrovitz.

Domitrovitz says she knew that she had an ATM gene mutation, which pre-disposes her to an increased risk of developing cancer.

But, she says the diagnosis shocked her.

"March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and people need to know that unfortunately, we are seeing colorectal cancer in more people who are young...who are younger than 50...in their 40s, and sometimes younger than that," said Dr. Joshua Raff, director of the Digestive Cancer Program with White Plains Hospital Center for Cancer Care.

Officials with the hospital recommended for everyone to advocate for themselves, monitor any symptoms and be aware of family history.

Domitrovitz is currently in remission.