A man discovered he had esophageal cancer after initially being informed that his symptoms were not a cause for concern.
Cancer is a devastating disease that impacts not only the individuals diagnosed but also their loved ones.
Due to the wide range of symptoms, identifying cancer can be challenging until it reaches a stage where it becomes unavoidable.
In one man’s case, after adopting a healthier lifestyle, he received a shocking cancer diagnosis following symptoms that a doctor had initially dismissed.
Tragically, he was later diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
Mark Sevillano Jr. shared his story with Today.com, expressing how stressful the past few years had been, particularly after his 11-year marriage ended in 2021.
At that time, he was also attending college to complete his teaching degree, which added to the challenges he faced.
Fortunately, in 2024, things began to improve after he graduated and started making healthier lifestyle choices, such as frequenting the gym and adopting a healthier diet.
However, the 41-year-old from California noticed a concerning symptom that disrupted his life.
While speaking with the outlet, he described how his eating habits were affected.
He mentioned, “I felt better and just when I started feeling better, I … couldn’t really swallow my food comfortably.”
Though drinking water provided some relief, his symptoms worsened over the next two months, prompting him to consult a doctor.
However, his doctor was hesitant to conduct a swallow test, which measures how often a person can swallow within a specified time.
Sevillano recalled, “He was like, ‘We’ll schedule a swallow test in the future. I’m not too worried about it’.
“Looking back on it, I was like, ‘Wow, there are so many red flags.’”
Before the test could be conducted, he decided to visit the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
Sevillano stated, “I would have never imagined that I had any cancer, let alone esophageal cancer.
“I’ve never even said the word esophagus. It was not on my radar at all.”
Sevillano initially attributed his weight loss to lifestyle changes, but when he began having difficulty swallowing even liquids and felt a blockage in his throat, he realized something was amiss.
In October, he underwent surgery to remove six inches of his esophagus and a tumor the size of a strawberry.
Surgeons reconstructed a new esophagus using his upper intestine, and after chemotherapy, he is now cancer-free.
Difficulty swallowing, like Sevillano experienced, is a common symptom of esophageal cancer.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that early signs include painful swallowing, persistent indigestion or heartburn, a sensation of pressure, pain or burning in the chest or throat, reduced appetite, chronic cough or hoarseness, and persistent hiccups.
As the cancer advances, symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting or food regurgitation, black, tarry stools, anemia, and pneumonia.
If you suspect you have any symptoms of cancer, it is important to consult your doctor for a better understanding of your condition.