A woman took to Reddit to express her surprise upon receiving a cancer diagnosis and urged others to pay attention to any changes in their bodies.
In recent years, there has been an observable increase in cancer cases among younger individuals, prompting extensive research to understand the underlying causes of this trend.
While scientists are diligently working to identify the causes and effects, many young adults are grappling with the unexpected reality of a cancer diagnosis.
This was the case for one 29-year-old woman who shared her story on social media, inviting others to ask her questions about her experience after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
In a post on the ‘Ask Me Anything’ Reddit board, she stated: “Colon cancer rates among young adults are increasing every year. I’m active and quite healthy. I ran a PR half marathon last year and work out 3-4 times a week. I eat relatively healthy compared to folks my age, but I’m not perfect.”
She further explained, “Tested, and I had no genetic predispositions. Found the tumor during a colonoscopy after suspecting UC (ulcerative colitis) or internal hemorrhoids.”
The woman acknowledged the well-wishes from others and emphasized the importance of consulting healthcare professionals when in doubt, noting that “Colon cancer has nearly identical symptoms to IBS, Crohn’s, and UC.”
Discussing her symptoms, she pointed out changes in her stools and advised anyone experiencing alterations in their bowel habits to get tested.
She shared: “Starting in December of last year I had dark blood and mucus in my stool, my stools were thinner than normal, and I was going number 2 multiple times a day when I was usually a one and done.
“I saw my PCP in January and he referred me for a colonoscopy, but then my symptoms improved so I put it off because my deductible had reset and I didn’t feel like paying for it.”
She continued, “Finally scheduled it for early April, woke up from the colonoscopy to the doctor telling me they found a mass.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on the symptoms of colorectal cancer, which affects the colon or rectum, outlining what individuals should be aware of.
According to the CDC, “Colorectal polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer if not removed) and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first.”
They also stress the importance of regular screenings, as individuals might have polyps or colorectal cancer without exhibiting any symptoms.