Mark Judge

When Mark went to his doctor’s office for shoulder surgery in 2013, he never imagined it would lead to a life-changing diagnosis. Prior to the procedure, his primary care physician ordered a physical, which revealed low iron levels. Mark, then 46, didn’t have many symptoms. 

At the time, colonoscopies weren’t usually recommended until age 50, but his doctor urged him to get one early. He attributes this to saving his life. 

The test found a mass, and over the next three and a half years, Mark endured 46 chemotherapy rounds, 28 radiation treatments, and five lung surgeries after metastasis. Doctors estimated his survival chance at just 3%. 

Yet here he is today—grateful, resilient, and using what he calls his “bonus time” to advocate for others.

Along the way, Mark connected with fellow survivors and advocates online, joining legislative efforts with One Cancer Place and Right Scan Right Time to improve patient access to life-saving medical technologies. Mark is particularly excited about the use of artificial intelligence in imaging to detect issues earlier. The fact that AI can give doctors an extra set of eyes hits close to home for him because of his colon cancer journey.  

Mark remembers a brief six-month period when he was considered to have “no sign of disease,” yet his cancer remained. His oncologist repeatedly noted there was “something in your lungs,” but did not elaborate further. “How do you sleep after that?” Mark wondered. Waiting three months between scans without answers was agonizing. By the time Mark saw another doctor, the disease had spread to his lungs, requiring five surgeries. “Maybe with AI, I could have knocked it off before it got into my lungs,” he reflected. AI-enabled imaging, he believes, could have made a difference.

This firsthand experience has fueled his support for policies like the Health Tech Investment Act, which aims to guarantee reimbursements for healthcare providers using FDA-authorized AI-enabled devices. For patients, this could lead to quicker, more precise diagnoses and, ultimately, higher survival rates, as hospitals, doctors, and community oncologists can confidently invest in these technologies. 

Mark knows how early detection changes outcomes, and he’s determined to be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. You can join him in advocating for the Health Tech Investment Act by sending your own letter to your legislator here.