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A woman explained on Reddit that she was stunned when she was diagnosed with cancer and called on people to take changes in their body serious.
Cancer among young people appears to be on the rise in recent years and much research is going into uncovering why this trend is occurring.
But while the brightest scientific minds do what they can to reveal the cause and effect, some young people are suffering with the shocking news they have cancer.
This is true of one 29-year-old woman who recently called on social media users to ask her anything as she revealed she was diagnosed with colon cancer.
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Writing on 'Ask me Anything' Reddit board recently, she said: 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 workout 3-4 times a week. I eat relatively healthy compared to folks my age, but I’m not perfect.
“Tested, and I had no genetic predispositions. Found the tumor during a colonoscopy after suspecting UC (ulcerative colitis) or internal hemorrhoids.”
The unnamed woman thanked those that wished her well and she insisted everyone should speak to the health care professional if they have doubts, noting that ‘Colon cancer has nearly identical symptoms to IBS, Crohn’s, and UC’.
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Speaking about her symptoms, she highlighted that her stools became different, and said if any person notices any change in their toilet habits they should get tested.
She commented: “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.
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“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.
“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 has explained what some of the symptoms for Colorectal cancer (relating to the colon or rectum) are and what to look out for.
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It read: “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.
The symptoms include:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don't go away.
- Weight loss and you don't know why.
They also note that a person can have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it, therefore getting screened regularly is so important.
Gerrard Kaonga