Chadwick Boseman's Wife Shares How Colon Cancer Symptoms Appeared 'Very Suddenly' In Just Weeks

Almost six years after his passing, Chadwick Boseman’s wife has opened up and shared more details about how his cancer diagnosis first came to light. The new information gives a clearer picture of what happened during those early stages.

The Black Panther and 21 Bridges actor had been living with colon cancer for around four years before his death in August 2020. He was only 43 years old, which made the news even more shocking for many people who admired his work.

His passing came as a surprise to fans and colleagues alike because he chose to keep his illness private. Reports at the time suggested that even some of his closest co-stars from Black Panther were unaware of what he was going through.

Boseman also chose not to inform Marvel or Disney about his condition, as he hoped he would recover enough to return for Black Panther 2. According to reports from NME, he remained focused on continuing his career despite his diagnosis.

Sadly, that plan did not come to pass, as he died about a year before production for the sequel began. His absence was deeply felt across the film industry and among fans around the world.

His death at the age of 43 from colon cancer is not as rare as some might think, especially in the United States where cases have been rising.

Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2016 Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Colon cancer has become one of the more common cancers affecting both men and women. By 2024, it had become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, according to data from USA Facts.

Boseman was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer back in 2016. His wife, Simone Ledward Boseman, shared that she had not noticed any clear symptoms before he had already visited a doctor more than once.

"It all seemed to come about very suddenly," Simone said on TODAY. " It was a matter of weeks that he started not feeling well."

She explained that colon cancer can be difficult to detect in its early stages, which makes it harder for people to recognize what is happening in time.

"Because he was so young, he wasn't even at the point where he would consider having a colonoscopy," Simone added.

Common symptoms of colon cancer include changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or a noticeable narrowing of stool. Other signs can include blood in the stool, which may appear bright red or dark in color.

Some people may also experience ongoing stomach pain, cramping, or a feeling of bloating that does not go away. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for less serious conditions, which can delay diagnosis.

Simone also shared that her husband experienced a period of remission in 2018. She described that time as ‘a beautiful year’, as things briefly seemed to improve.

Boseman is survived by his wife, Simone Ledward Boseman Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

"It's harder to talk about the good times than it is the bad," she added.

However, by the end of that same year, his cancer had returned and progressed to Stage 4, which made the situation far more serious.

Simone also spoke about why Boseman chose to keep his diagnosis private, even from people close to him.

"Chad was not a person that would have wanted to be treated any differently because people knew that he was sick," she said.

She went on to explain why he continued working through treatment, despite how difficult that must have been. Simone shared: "The work is what was keeping him moving, so he didn't want the work to suffer just because he was sick."

"He didn't want to be handled with kid gloves because people thought he wasn't going to be able to do his job and slide underneath falling cabinets and run across fields."

During the years he was battling illness, Boseman continued to film several major projects, including Black Panther, 21 Bridges, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Marshall, and Da 5 Bloods. His dedication to his craft remained clear throughout this time.

The couple quietly married in 2020, just a few months before his passing, keeping that part of their lives private as well.

Since his death, Simone has taken on the role of preserving his legacy. She has spoken at events such as his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2025 and has accepted awards on his behalf.

"I don't have to create his legacy, I just have to protect it," she told The Guardian in February. "I just have to make sure that it doesn't get flattened. That's why I love talking about him – I think it's important that people understand him as a full human being, that they get the full picture of who he was."