A TikToker has outlined all the symptoms she wished had been taken more seriously ahead of being diagnosed with cancer.
A woman from Sydney, Australia has taken to social media to speak about her difficulties dealing with a cancer diagnosis and hopes to encourage people to be vigilant against any changes in their health.
Tess, 33, who goes by the name @thegreenthumbmum said she now wants other women to take the symptoms seriously and insisted that catching things early is the best ‘cure’ against cancer.
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In a viral TikTok, Tess explained what symptoms she was dealing with ahead of getting diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.
Extreme stomach cramps
She said: “My symptoms were extreme stomach cramping, mine developed to be really extreme, it was probably more mild before then.
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“This is about 10 months before diagnosis, to the point where I would be on the floor in the fetal position, it was so painful.
“Maybe similar to endometriosis kind of pains, very low in my abdomen, probably closer down to my pelvis where my colon was."
Blood test results
Tess said: “Number two was my blood test, I had no cancer in my blood however I had very low iron and I was also anemic.
“I’d go in and out of anemia so some blood tests would show anemia and others wouldn’t.
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"I had always kind of had low iron so this wasn’t really something that was too worrisome because it was something I’ve been dealing with my whole adult life."
Blood in stool
Tess continued: “Next was blood in stool or blood in bowl or paper, people became very specific about where the blood was, it doesn't matter.
“Blood in stool or on paper is never normal and should always be investigated. Thin slim stool as well or changes in your bowel habits, if you are really constipated this could indicate a blockage in your colon.”
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Tess explained that many of these symptoms were initially attributed to post-partum as she went to the doctors about these symptoms 18 months after giving birth.
However eventually experts were able to identify what she was dealing with was colon cancer that had spread to her liver.
Fortunately, medics have been able to remove all the cancer within her body in a complex operation and doctors have told Tess there is a 50 percent chance she will remain cancer free.
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In her video, Tess reiterated the importance of taking these symptoms seriously and to check with healthcare professionals if you begin to experience them.
Gerrard Kaonga