People who got colon cancer in their 20s or 30s describe what it was like and the signs that were ignored
People who got colon cancer in their 20s or 30s describe what it was like and the signs that were ignored
Colorectal cancer rates have risen dramatically among young adults, but diagnosing patients in this group has proven difficult.
This doesn't look like patients ignoring symptoms and not seeking medical care. It sounds like patients seeking care and medical professionals ignoring the symptoms and telling patients its no big deal.
My experience wasn't cancer but Crohn's diagnosis. I was having the worst abdominal pain, acid reflux, and weight loss.
GP brushed me off and prescribed Omeprazole. ER performed a sonogram and told me it was all in my head. Kept losing weight and excruciating abdominal pain, so eventually went to the ER again and they ordered a CT which showed terminal ileitis. Was able to then see a gastroenterologist and have a colonoscopy, and started a treatment for mild Crohn's.
It was pretty frustrating and I feel for those who have to go through something similar. :(
And then charging them $1,000 for the privilege so that they don't go back and get checked as things keep getting worse.
Ughhh seriously. Doctor: Yeah, this is actually all in your head. That's going to be a $1500 copay, and also screw you. For women it's even worse Doctor: hmmm classic hysteria, have you tried taking a midol and going to therapy? Also, that's going to be a $1500 copay and a $200 pregnancy test.
To all women who may read this:
When you get any surgery done, the medical staff will ask you if there "is any possibility that you might be pregnant". If you say no and they still bill you for a pregnancy test, dispute it. Unless you're lying, which you're probably not.
They tack this onto everything, even if you've had a hysterectomy.
tl;dr: “Listen to your body. If you see things like blood, if you feel pain in unusual places in your abdomen, your body, tell your family. Talk to your doctor. Have the examination.”
Exactly. And don’t let embarrassment stop you from discussing this with your doctor, and don’t underplay your symptoms. I had years of symptoms before they got bad enough for me to be honest with my doctor, and once I was, he scheduled me for a colonoscopy immediately. There was a 1.5” tumour. I was in my 30s and cancer never crossed my mind.
So glad when I saw blood once I scheduled an exam. Turned out to be dehydration related and not cancer. Yes it was embarrassing but had it been cancer there was a very good chance I could have survived it had it been caught early.
FYI to everyone, bright red blood in your stool is usually not dangerous and will be something like internal hemorrhoids bleeding or possibly an ulcer. The really concerning thing is when you have what looks like coffee grounds, which may be internal bleeding.
After you have the examination and they say it's nothing, don't belive them and continue to examine it until you get a doctor that cares
.