How much do you know about colon cancer? A single mother has come forward and spoken about her battle with stage four colon cancer in an effort to raise awareness around the warning signs she dismissed. A mother of one, Radwah Oda of Texas, has been juggling raising her son, holding down an office job, and battling her cancer.

She went viral on TikTok when she posted a video about her journey that has garnered over 2.3 million views, sharing the symptoms she overlooked. She has urged the public to take their health more seriously and not ignore these most commonly dismissed symptoms, which are major red flags.

Stool Changes

Radwah began by describing one of her first warning signs of colon cancer. Her bowel habits had changed. She noticed how her stool began to become more pencil-shaped and initially dismissed this, assuming it was just mild constipation.

Another symptom of colon cancer

She noted that her stool seemed to contain small amounts of blood and attributed this to hemorrhoids. Apparently, this is commonly overlooked. She also mentioned that she never felt like her bowels were completely empty after going to the bathroom. “Every time I used the bathroom, I felt like I still needed to go. I kept pushing and pushing, but nothing would come out,” she described.

Unexplained pain

Another common symptom that is well known in the cancer community is abdominal pain. With colon cancer, this pain can often occur in other areas as the disease progresses. Oda described her pain starting under her right breast, dismissing it as an ill-fitting bra. “I assumed my bra was too tight, even though it was only on one side,” she explained.

This pain she was experiencing was actually an indication that the colon cancer had already progressed to her liver. This alone should highlight the importance of constantly monitoring for unusual pain and seeking medical attention when these symptoms don’t subside, as they could indicate something more serious.

Chronic fatigue

Radwah was also experiencing chronic fatigue, another common symptom of colon cancer. She found that despite making sure she got adequate rest, she constantly felt tired. She eventually found herself taking multiple naps throughout the day. “I would still need to nap several times during the day, and nothing really helped,” she noted. Chronic fatigue is common in cancer patients, especially those with colon cancer, as it drains the body while using up its resources.

Other Signs of Colon Cancer

In another video, she discussed additional symptoms she was experiencing before receiving her cancer diagnosis. She was experiencing chronic weight loss, had a poor appetite, and terrible stomach pains. “Until the doctors told me I had cancer, I blamed these symptoms on a ‘really bad stomach bug,’” she shared. These are often overlooked, but it’s important to seek medical attention when unexplained changes occur in your body.

Advocating for Awareness

“If you have any of these symptoms, don’t worry, but go see a doctor,” she urged in her video. Radwah Oda’s story certainly conveyed a strong message to viewers advocating for people to take their health more seriously. Younger people often dismiss their symptoms, finding excuses instead of seeking help.

Common Warning Signs of Colon Cancer

Many of these colon cancer symptoms develop slowly, making diagnosis challenging. The American Cancer Society has urged people to be more aware, noting that these symptoms can often be dismissed as other conditions, but it’s crucial to seek professional help just in case. Some common symptoms include:

Changes in bowel habits (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool).
Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding.
Persistent abdominal pain or cramps.
Unexplained weight loss.
Weakness or fatigue.

Colon cancer in younger people

More recent studies have indicated that an alarmingly large number of colorectal cancer cases have been identified in people under the age of 50. Many younger patients are under the misconception that colon cancer occurs primarily in older patients, often delaying their diagnosis.

Persistent abdominal pain and bloody stools are the two most common early symptoms in younger patients. The Mayo Clinic had reported that potential cases should pay special attention to changes in bowel habits, as these are some of the most common indicators. Early detection can improve the chances of an earlier diagnosis, leading to more successful treatment outcomes.

Don’t Ignore the Signs

Radwah’s Journey certainly emphasizes the importance of paying more attention to the signs and, ultimately, listening to one’s body. It’s important to seek help rather than ignore persistent symptoms early. Hopefully, sharing her story has helped save lives by encouraging others to seek help before it’s too late.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or know someone who may be going through the same issues discussed above, never hesitate to seek help from a doctor, as early detection and timely intervention could be the difference between a smoother diagnosis and treatment for colon cancer.