A 44-year-old woman who survived Stage 3 colon cancer Now she’s warning others about the signs and symptoms of a dangerous condition she ignored. In 2012, Cheryl was diagnosed with colon cancer – it has long been associated with older adults, especially those over the age of 65.

However, since the 2000s, rates of colorectal cancer have been steadily increasing, even among young people.

Also known as bowel cancer, this is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. Although it is often curable, doctors say the key to treatment is early detection. However, recurrence can be a major problem. According to experts, the worrying rise in youth cases and deaths is mostly due to environmental factors like obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet high on processed meat, excess sugar consumption and even pollutants in the air, soil and water.

Five symptoms of colon cancer Cheryl ignored

Cheryl says there were five telltale signs of this cancer, which takes years to fully develop, that led to her diagnosis. “If you’re really struggling with problems don’t be like me; Then go and get tested,” he said. “Early detection is the key!! It’s okay to be nervous and scared, but not to the point of doing nothing!” she told the New York Post.

Inevitable colon cancer symptoms include:

stomach pain

Cheryl said she often experiences severe stomach pain It felt like a food allergy, especially after eating. “Every time I ate something, I would get sick. I’ll just have a stomach ache. It got to the point where I became an introvert because I couldn’t go out,” she said.

According to doctors, if you have frequent stomach aches, especially after eating, you should get yourself examined without any delay.

changes in bowel movements

Although occasional constipation is normal, if you are normally regular – and then suddenly your stools stop being regular for several weeks or months – it is a sign that something is wrong and your intestines are obstructed. Can.

Experts say excessively loose stools can also be a sign of colon cancer, as well as severe diarrhea.

According to Cheryl, for several years before her diagnosis, she experienced severe diarrhea after constipation“I didn’t have a bowel movement for three to four days and then got diarrhea. This was at an early stage when if I had gone to the doctor and they had done a colonoscopy, they might have seen precancerous polyps,” she said.

anemia

Cheryl said she suffered from iron deficiency for at least two decades before her diagnosis. While she was unable to donate blood during a regular Red Cross blood drive at work, she also suffered bleeding, which she ignored.

Bleeding from a colorectal tumor can, over time, cause anemia – a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Studies say that anemia is present in 30-75 percent of colorectal cancer patients.

chest pain

Many times, Cheryl felt extreme pressure and pain in her chest while exercising. “It felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. And whenever I stood up, I felt faint.”

blood in stool

According to doctors, this is one of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer.

Studies show that rectal bleeding, which is mostly caused by hemorrhoids, is always dismissed, but it is a serious sign of bowel cancer. About half of those diagnosed reported blood in their toilet paper or toilet bowl. “I just thought it was normal, and then later, when the cancer grew, the blood was really dark, almost black. The whole time I thought I had an ulcer,” she said.

While blood can be a symptom of colon cancer, other Causes of rectal bleeding This includes IBD, anal fissures and hemorrhoids. In any case, this type of bleeding should be addressed and evaluated by a medical professional.

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