Charrisse Jackson-Jordan is opening up about one of the most frightening experiences of her life after revealing that her 28-year-old son, Jackson Jordan, privately battled colon cancer.
The Real Housewives of Potomac star and her son spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about his diagnosis, the months of treatment that followed and the emotional toll it took on their family.
Jackson, who works as a model, was just 27 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2025. Despite being young, physically active and careful about his diet, Jackson began noticing troubling symptoms that he initially chose to ignore.
According to Jackson, he first noticed blood in his stool and changes in his bowel habits in the fall of 2025. Rather than immediately seeking medical attention, he kept the symptoms to himself because he was afraid of what doctors might find.
“It was more so out of fear of what they would say,” Jackson explained. “I was just kind of hoping it would go away or hoping I could do something myself to fix it without telling anybody.”
But by November, his condition had become impossible to ignore.
While staying with his sister Skylar in Brooklyn, Jackson was preparing to head to the gym when he suddenly began feeling extremely ill.
“As soon as I stepped outside, it was like everything just felt too bright and my eyes were sensitive,” he recalled. “I walked maybe a block and a half and felt like I was about to faint.”
After sitting on the sidewalk for several minutes, Jackson returned to his sister’s apartment.
Concerned about his condition, Skylar immediately contacted their mother.
When Charrisse saw Jackson over Thanksgiving weekend, she knew something was seriously wrong.
“When I saw him, immediately I’m like, ‘Something’s not right,’” Charrisse recalled.
“He had lost a lot of weight. He was sort of lethargic and had no color at all. He looked like a ghost.”
Charrisse contacted the family’s longtime physician, Dr. Olukayode Oladeji, who examined Jackson and ordered bloodwork.
The results revealed that Jackson’s hemoglobin levels were dangerously low, prompting doctors to recommend hospitalization and a blood transfusion.
Jackson spent three days in the hospital, where he underwent blood transfusions, a colonoscopy and additional testing.
It was during the colonoscopy that doctors discovered a tumor.
At just 27 years old, Jackson learned he had colon cancer.
“Because I waited so long to go to the doctor, I was already bracing myself for the worst, hearing that specific word,” he admitted.
But Jackson said his biggest concern was how his parents would handle the news.
“I was more concerned about my parents’ reaction and emotions over myself.”
Jackson recalled the heartbreaking moment he saw his father, former NBA player and coach Eddie Jordan, crying in the hospital hallway.
“I remember them wheeling me back to my hospital room and my dad was in the hallway crying,” Jackson shared.
“And then they wheeled me into the room, and my mom was, like, curled up on the bed I was staying in and she was so emotional.”
For Charrisse, hearing that her son had cancer was devastating.
“I was numb and it just didn’t seem real,” she said. “I just had this pit in my stomach that would not go away for weeks. It was just so freaking devastating, and I was scared.”
Despite her fear, Charrisse said her faith helped her remain hopeful.
“Deep in my heart, because of my faith, I believed everything was going to be okay.”
Jackson’s Private Cancer Battle And Treatment
By January 2026, Jackson received encouraging news when doctors determined that his cancer had been caught early and had not spread.
He began two months of weekly radiation treatments, followed by a month of recovery and four months of chemotherapy administered every other week.
Throughout the process, Jackson leaned heavily on his faith and drew inspiration from Kobe Bryant’s famous “Mamba Mentality.”
He also made the decision to keep his diagnosis private, sharing the news with only immediate family members and a small circle of friends.
Jackson explained that maintaining his privacy helped him “protect my peace” while undergoing treatment.
A turning point came when his oncologists, Dr. Phillip Reid and Dr. Imran Saeed, confirmed that his tumor was shrinking.
“I remember, after he told me that, I went outside and I was just so emotional because I was so unsure of how my body would respond to everything,” Jackson said.
“And that just kept me in a positive spirit moving forward.”
Charrisse admitted that watching her son undergo treatment was incredibly painful, even though she tried to remain strong for him.
“Inside I was completely falling apart,” she shared.
However, she said Jackson’s attitude throughout the process amazed her.
“Throughout it all, his mindset was always positive,” Charrisse said. “He didn’t sit around and have a pity party for himself. I think he was a lot stronger than I would’ve been if it were me.”
Jackson even continued pursuing his modeling career while undergoing treatment.
Jackson Reveals He Is Now Cancer-Free
After months of treatment, Jackson completed chemotherapy at the end of August 2026.
In early September, scans showed no evidence of disease, and doctors declared him cancer-free.
Now 28, Jackson will continue undergoing routine medical checkups every three months to monitor his health.
Looking back, he said the experience completely changed his perspective on life.
“I’m just grateful to have been able to persevere,” Jackson said.
“This kinda gave me a different perspective on life, just living your life to the fullest because you never know what can happen.”
Jackson also hopes sharing his experience will encourage younger people to pay attention to symptoms and seek medical care rather than assuming serious illnesses only affect older adults.
“If you’re going through something, don’t wait,” he urged. “Stay on top of it, get it checked out.”
“Even if you’re young in your 20s, you’re not invincible,” Jackson continued.
“On paper, I was doing everything right. I was healthy, working out every day, particular about my diet, and then this happens. So just pay attention to your body.”
Jackson credited his sister and mother for stepping in when he was not ready to seek help himself.
“If I was by myself, I don’t know how long I would’ve waited to get help,” he admitted.
Charrisse recalled just how serious the situation had become.
“The doctor was like, ‘You saved his life by bringing him in because any day, he could’ve just keeled over,’” she said.
The RHOP alum is now encouraging other parents to continue checking in on their children, regardless of their age.
“As a parent, you have to ask questions and let your child know that if you see or feel anything, you have to tell us what’s going on, even as an adult,” Charrisse said.
“Doctors can only help you if they know. It’s not gonna go away.”
While Jackson is now cancer-free, Charrisse acknowledged that the experience will always be part of their family’s story.
“Jackson was able to fight his way through this chapter. But the reality is that cancer doesn’t simply end when treatment ends. It becomes part of your life journey,” she explained.
Charrisse hopes their decision to speak publicly about such a painful experience will help other families recognize warning signs earlier.
“If our story can give another family hope, encourage someone to recognize a warning sign sooner, or remind a mother that she is stronger than she thinks she is, then sharing something so painful will have a greater purpose.”