‘I had zero risk factors for colon cancer’: Woman affected by disease shares ‘first’ sign
From a family history of colon cancer to an unhealthy diet high in processed meat, there are various culprits that can increase your risk of colon cancer. However, Katie, from Essex, who did not share her surname, did not fit into either of those categories. Despite this, the then 35-year-old was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2021.
There is no exact order of symptoms that determine how colorectal cancer begins, but the first signs often appear in the toilet or in your abdomen.
That’s exactly what happened to Katie. She told Bowel Cancer UK: “On 1 August 2021 I was suffering from excruciating abdominal pain and blood in my stools which was actually the first symptom I had.
“I literally lay on the floor paralyzed while playing with my son.
“It lasted about 15 minutes and then I was able to crawl to the toilet where I had a bowel movement.”
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At first, the then 35-year-old thought she had a “wicked case” of trapped wind, but the color of her chair made her doubt it.
“I noticed the color of my stool was purple and I knew I should get checked out,” she said.
This wasn’t the first time the mum had spotted blood in her stool, but she wasn’t “overly concerned” because her GPs had previously dismissed the symptom as “normal”.
Abdominal pain and rectal bleeding are considered telltale signs of colon cancer, according to the NHS.
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Because the mother was breastfeeding at the time, she was not sedated for the procedure, allowing her to see everything “completely.”
She added: “I had zero risk factors for colon cancer. I was young at 35.
“As a vegetarian, I didn’t eat red or processed meat, and as a meat eater, I didn’t eat much either.
“I ate a high-fiber diet. I have always been at a healthy weight and have always been reasonably fit and physically active.”
After Katie received her diagnosis, surgery was scheduled to remove part of her intestines.
This procedure was followed by chemotherapy to suppress the occurrence of a secondary tumor.
She said: “Chemotherapy was like the end of a long-distance race; feeling exhausted both mentally and physically and hitting the wall but knowing that you have to keep going to make it to the finish line.
“We got through it and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible, unconditional support of my family and friends.”
Luckily, her scans have since been clear, so she’s now been placed on the surveillance program for the next five years.
Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk
https://www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com/health/i-had-zero-risk-factors-for-bowel-cancer-woman-hit-by-the-condition-shares-first-sign/ ‘I had zero risk factors for colon cancer’: Woman affected by disease shares ‘first’ sign
