Advocating for Your Health Means Watching Out for Symptoms
- A mother of two experiencing bloating and blood in her stool was told her worrisome symptoms could be a vitamin D deficiency or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, a colonoscopy revealed she had stage 4 bowel (colorectal) cancer. Treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery, helped her reach remission.
- A colonoscopy, recommended for people beginning at age 45, looks for polyps before they become cancerous. Any polyps found can be removed during the procedure.
- IBS shares several symptoms with multiple cancer types. Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues, including changes in bowel habits and diarrhea, are associated with IBS. However, some cancers, including colorectal, ovarian, liver, and stomach, also share these symptoms.
- If you are uncertain about persistent and unusual symptoms, contact your doctor.
- Seeking a second or third opinion on your diagnosis and treatment plan is another way to advocate for your health and ensure you get the treatment you need.
A mother of two says she was “fit and healthy” before bloating and blood in her stool became alarmingly the norm. Nikita Williamson, 37, says her doctor initially believed her stomach problems stemmed from her diet, a vitamin D deficiency, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it was advanced bowel cancer that was causing her problems.
IBS is a “group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your abdomen and changes in your bowel movements like diarrhea and constipation,” the National Institutes of Health explains. However, it’s not uncommon for its symptoms to become confused with symptoms of other conditions, including cancer.
She had a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), an at-home colorectal cancer screening test kit. Her results came back abnormal, leading to a full-scale colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy uses a long, thin tube attached to a camera to examine the colon and rectum. The advantage of colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps (pre-cancerous growths) found during the test.
“It was at this point the doctor told me, ‘It’s likely bowel cancer.’ I will never forget how I felt when he said this. I felt completely numb but also relieved,” Williamson explained.
WATCH: What is a colonoscopy, and how does it work?
Bowel cancer develops in the large intestine or bowel (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum). It starts when abnormal lumps called polyps turn cancerous. This type of cancer may also be called colorectal or colon cancer.
Symptoms for bowel or colorectal cancer may include a change in bowel habits, which can involve constipation or diarrhea. Your stool may also be a different color than normal, such as black or tarry. Other symptoms of this kind of cancer may include cramps, gas, and tiredness.
Expert Colon Cancer Resources
Nikita’s Treatment and Coping With Side Effects
The mother of two underwent six rounds of chemotherapy to treat her metastatic (stage 4) bowel cancer. In stage 4, the cancer has spread beyond the colon to other parts of the body.
“It was around cycle three (of chemotherapy) that things got a lot tougher. I was struggling with my mouth and developed oral thrush (lesions that form on the tongue and inner cheek),” Williamson explained.
She also dealt with diarrhea and constipation, two common side effects of chemotherapy.
“I was incredibly shocked when my surgeon told me that I would also be having my cervix, ovaries, and uterus removed,” Williamson added, which made her journey to recovery more grueling.
A silver lining is that after treatment, doctors found no evidence of disease, meaning her treatment had been effective. However, she still receives regular health checks to ensure the cancer remains in remission.
“While I am slowly building my fitness back up, I am in pain constantly. I continually struggle with fatigue, and I rely heavily on various medications just to be able to get through the day,” Williamson said.
When to Screen for Colon Cancer?
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends people begin colon cancer screening at 45 years old. This is in response to an increase in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults.
However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those under 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50 years or older, but for those predisposed to getting it at a younger age, these new guidelines could help catch it earlier.
WATCH: Colon cancer screening.
The best and most complete screening method is a colonoscopy every ten years. You should get your first colonoscopy at age 45, but the guidelines differ depending on your risk category. If you have a close relative who has colon cancer, a rule of thumb is to get screened ten years before their age of diagnosis to make sure any growths or cancers are caught early.
If you have several family members who had colon cancer or family members who got it at a young age (less than 50 years old), it may be necessary to undergo genetic screening. If you have a lot of polyps on your colonoscopy or if you have had colon cancer previously, you will need a colonoscopy every three to five years.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Cancer
Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects your digestive system. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says some symptoms associated with IBS include:
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Bloating
- Bowel movements that are harder or looser than normal
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Excessive gas
While IBS is an incurable condition, medications are readily available to manage conditions. However, some of these stomach-related problems and gastrointestinal problems are also shared by some common cancers.
Cancers that may cause similar symptoms include:
- Colorectal cancer can have symptoms like cramps, gas, and changes in bowel habits.
- Liver cancer can also cause swelling or bloating in the abdomen or abdominal pain below the ribs.
- Ovarian cancer can cause symptoms of bloating or fullness, pain in the pelvis or abdomen, and changes in bowel habits.
- Stomach cancer can cause feelings of indigestion and stomach discomfort, feeling bloated, and stomach pain.
Where to Turn If You Experience Symptoms of IBS, But You’re Unsure What’s Causing It?
When you experience unusual symptoms, you should first consider talking to your doctor. However, in the case of IBS, where symptoms can be easily confused with something else, considering a second professional opinion is always helpful.
WATCH: Advocating for your health.
When you see a doctor for a problem, don’t hesitate to ensure that your questions are fully answered and that you are comfortable with the plan moving forward. From a doctor’s perspective, every problem should have a diagnosis, a treatment, a plan for follow-up, and a plan for what happens next if the treatment doesn’t work.
“It’s important for you to actually educate yourself and be your own health care advocate,” colorectal surgeon Dr. Zuri Murrell previously told SurvivorNet.
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