A man has shared his personal journey following a stage three colon cancer diagnosis, highlighting an alarming rise in certain cancer rates among younger individuals.
In recent years, several nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have reported a surge in colon-rectal cancer cases. The Cancer Research Institute notes that colorectal cancer ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both genders. Alarmingly, 1 in 5 diagnosed cases involve individuals younger than 55 years old.
Projections from the American Cancer Society estimate that by 2026, approximately 108,860 new colon cancer cases will be identified in the U.S., along with around 49,990 new rectal cancer diagnoses.
In the United States, Ram Danielle faced the harsh reality of a colon cancer diagnosis. He turned to social media platforms to increase awareness about the symptoms he encountered during his ordeal.
Using TikTok (@ramdanielle) as his platform, Ram detailed that he initially experienced ‘stomach cramps’ linked to severe constipation, a condition he found unusual for himself.
Ram recounted that he endured four days without a bowel movement. As the pain intensified, he sought medical attention at the ER. Blood tests and an X-ray indicated a significant fecal buildup, leading doctors to prescribe laxatives before discharging him.
Despite this, he remained unable to relieve himself, prompting a return to the hospital. There, a colonoscopy uncovered an obstruction in his colon.
Samples taken during this procedure revealed a grim finding—a 5cm tumor. Fortunately, surgery allowed the tumor’s removal, and Ram was subsequently informed of his stage three colon cancer status.
“Now, they’ve removed about 75% of my colon, and they also removed 39 lymph nodes,” he explained. “I was in the hospital for 13 days just recovering. It was the most intense thing I’ve ever had to go through.”
Ram acknowledged that if it weren’t for the constipation, the tumor might have gone undetected.
He admitted to disregarding many symptoms due to his youth, thinking, “Like, cancer’s not gonna happen to me.”
Early cancer detection is crucial for improving outcomes, as identifying the condition in its initial stages can enhance treatment prospects and prevent the cancer from spreading further.
If there are any suspicions of cancer, it is imperative to seek medical evaluation. Additionally, individuals in high-risk groups should undergo regular screenings, even in the absence of symptoms, as a precautionary measure.
The Cleveland Clinic lists typical symptoms of bowel cancer to be vigilant about, including: