Florida-based gynecologist Dr. Lauren Zuia diagnosed her stage 4 colon cancer By identifying two key symptoms that many people may overlook. In 2022, at the age of just 37, Dr. Juiya was diagnosed with the disease so early that he started treatment immediately. Dr. Zuia’s first symptom was persistent fatigue, which began in August 2022. Initially, she chalked up her fatigue as a natural byproduct of her busy life and motherhood. “I thought it was just a part of aging,” she admitted, noting that with two young children and a challenging career, afternoon fatigue feels normal.

However, when she experienced a persistent “feeling of pelvic heaviness”, her medical instincts worried her. Realizing something was wrong, she decided to investigate further, eventually arranging for an ultrasound.

During the scan, the discovery of a significant pelvic mass confirmed her worst fears. The mass, which she compared to the size of a 16-week pregnancy, raised immediate red flags. “In obstetrics, we measure size by weeks of pregnancy, and I thought, ‘This mass is unusually large,'” he shared with Good Morning America. Medical evaluation soon revealed an abnormal growth near her ovaries.

The diagnosis took a worrying turn when Dr Juiya noticed that the weight had increased from 8 cm to 24 cm in just two weeks. Based on her medical background, she knew that benign tumors rarely show such rapid growth, which increased her suspicion that it might be a mass. cancerWe. Initially, she suspected ovarian cancer due to the location of the tumor, but more extensive analysis revealed stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to multiple organs, including her ovaries, uterus, omentum, appendix, and stomach area.

By September 2022, Dr. Zuia required extensive surgery to remove the cancerous growth. Amazingly, despite the advanced stage of the cancer, her symptoms were minimal – only fatigue and pelvic heaviness indicated its spread. He said that in older patients, stage 4 cancer can usually cause far more severe symptoms, yet their busy lifestyles and youthful resilience may have masked the seriousness of their condition.

Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Zuia highlights how easy it is to dismiss the early signs. She said, “I used to be a little tired in the afternoon for about two months, but being the mother of young children who still woke up at night, I became more aware of my need for afternoon tea to keep myself on task. Didn’t think.” She now advocates mindfulness, especially for young people, and urges them to pay attention to changes in their energy levels and physical sensations.

According to the NHS, colon or bowel cancer can present a number of other warning signs. In addition to fatigue and pelvic discomfort, symptoms may include persistent changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation), rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss. Recognizing these signs early can be life-saving, especially in young individuals who may otherwise ignore them.

Following her diagnosis, Dr. Zuia began a six-month chemotherapy regimen. She continued to work full-time, finding comfort and purpose in caring for her patients, which she describes as therapeutic. In March 2023, he underwent another operation to remove an inoperable tumor. By April, his test results showed no evidence of the disease.

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