KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- If you're over the age of 50, the American Cancer Society recommends you get a colonoscopy, and they say you should do so even sooner if the disease runs in your family. It's not just a man's disease, but something women should take seriously, too.

Sheree White knows the importance of listening to your body. She's a colon cancer survivor.

"The sooner you can catch this the better," she says.

She felt sick in December 2001, but was too anxious for the upcoming holiday season and a planned family trip to Florida to go to the doctor.

"I felt really nauseous, like I had a version of the flu," she remembers. "I was cooking, wrapping presents--I thought I was just tired."

Her husband David finally convinced her to see the doctor, who did some blood work. Then a specialist confirmed that Sheree had stage 3 colon cancer.

"It was in the transverse of my colon and they removed that," she explains. "I went through six months of chemotherapy, then was cancer free for about one-and-a-half years."

But the beast struck again. She developed polyps. Doctors removed then reconstructed her colon.

Sheree's concern was not for her own health, but for her family.

"I knew I could get through this, but it was hard to to watch how cancer had an effect on my family."

Since that time, she's been cancer-free for almost 10 years, and credits a positive attitude, in addition to quick action.

"It is so important to get pre-screenings done, and to have a good attitude when going through things," she says. "Just face it head on...and just live life to its fullest."

We are all very relieved with Sheree's recovery, and we're very proud of her positivity. She is not only a cancer survivor, but is a very dear member of the Volunteer TV family.

If you our a loved one wants to learn more about colon cancer, UT Medical Center is holding several events to educate you on the importance of early detection and pre-screening for colorectal cancer. For details, visit UTMedicalCenter.org.