Canadian acting icon Catherine O’Hara passed away on January 30 at the age of 71, with her death officially attributed to a pulmonary embolism (PE). However, rectal cancer was listed as an underlying cause, shedding light on how cancer can contribute to life-threatening complications.

O’Hara’s passing has prompted colorectal cancer survivors and advocates to raise awareness about this common yet often overlooked disease. Mary De Vera, a British Columbia resident who recently marked a decade since her Stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis, said O’Hara’s death is helping spark important conversations. “It shows how colorectal cancer affects real lives, and underscores the importance of early detection,” she told media outlets.

Medical experts explain that cancer patients face higher risks of developing blood clots, which can lead to pulmonary embolisms. Dr. Michelle Bloom, cardiologist and director of NYU Langone’s Cardio-Oncology Program, told SELF magazine that tumors can release substances that make blood stickier, chemotherapy can damage blood vessels, and extended periods of immobility raise clotting risk.

Pulmonary embolisms can be sudden and severe. Key warning signs include:

Shortness of breath: Feeling winded during ordinary activities, like climbing stairs.

Lightheadedness or fainting: Caused by a drop in blood pressure.

Chest pain: Discomfort or difficulty taking deep breaths.

Leg pain or swelling: Usually affects one leg, indicating deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Fever: Can occur due to tissue death in the lungs.

Rapid heartbeat or palpitations: Heart works harder to push blood through blocked arteries.

Bloody cough: Indicates lung tissue damage due to insufficient blood flow.

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