Man‌ Diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer After Visiting⁢ Hospital with Cold ⁢Symptoms

A man who ⁢went to the hospital after experiencing severe chills, thinking he had a cold, was eventually diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. According to the British media outlet Mirror, John Hutton (48), who lives in Greater Manchester, England, suffered from cold symptoms such as⁢ chills in April.

However, the symptoms persisted for about a week. John eventually went back to the hospital,⁤ had a blood test,⁣ and was told by the doctor that it could be cancer. Later, a detailed examination confirmed that he had stage 4 colon cancer. The malignant tumor had spread to one‌ colon and ten to the liver.

“At first, I thought ⁢it was just a virus because⁤ it was so cold, but when I got the diagnosis that I had stage 4 cancer, it was ⁤like a bomb,” John said. “I didn’t ‌know much about cancer, but I‍ knew that stage 4 was the worst.”

John had a hard time accepting the cancer for several weeks, because he had no symptoms before his diagnosis. However, John said he experienced some ominous signs before his diagnosis. “I had irritable ‌bowel syndrome for several⁤ years,” he said. “I would have constipation or diarrhea once every four or five months, but looking back, I think those were early signs.”

Two months before his diagnosis, he also began‌ to feel bloated. “I’ve been going to the gym and working out for the past few months, but I’ve noticed my belly getting ​bigger,” John said. “I couldn’t even tie my shoelaces properly because my belly was so bloated.”

John ⁢is currently undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The treatment is progressing⁣ positively, and it is reported that surgery to remove the tumor in his liver will be performed‌ in the future. “I hope that after removing part of the‍ liver, healthy liver tissue will be regenerated,” he‍ said.

What is Colon Cancer?

Colon ⁢cancer is a type of cancer that ‌occurs in the colon, which is⁣ the last part‍ of ⁣the digestive system. The colon is divided ​into the cecum, ascending, transverse, descending, and S colon. Cancer usually occurs in the ‍rectum or⁤ S colon, and depending on where the cancer occurs,⁤ cancer that occurs in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that occurs‌ in the rectum is called ⁢rectal cancer. These are collectively called colon cancer.

Causes of Colon Cancer

The causes of colon cancer can be largely divided into genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors account for about⁣ 10-30% of all colon cancers. Environmental factors include food intake and ⁢physical activity.​ In ‌particular, eating habits that consume excessive amounts of red meat and animal fat while lacking fiber and calcium promote the development ‍of colon cancer. People ⁣with high insulin resistance due to obesity are⁤ also at a higher risk ⁤of developing colon cancer.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

If you have colon cancer, you may not feel any symptoms in the early stages. Even if there are no symptoms, you may lose blood through intestinal bleeding that is​ not noticeable, causing anemia, and you may experience loss of appetite or weight loss, ​but it is difficult to notice.

After the cancer progresses, more than 70% of patients‍ feel symptoms. If the situation is serious,‍ the stomach may swell as in John’s story. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the cancer and the degree of progression. First, right-sided colon cancer, which occurs on the right side of the colon, causes indigestion,⁤ bloody stool (usually black stool), and abdominal pain. Afterwards, it can​ lead to general weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath,⁣ and weight loss.

Left-sided colon cancer is more common than ‍right-sided colon cancer in that it causes constipation and pain, and bloody stools. Diarrhea may occur occasionally, but it tends to turn into constipation again. Left-sided colon ‌cancer patients may also experience weight loss and discomfort when urinating due to pressure on the bladder.

Colon Cancer Prognosis and Incidence Rate

Colon‌ cancer is a cancer with high​ incidence and ‍cure rates. In‍ Korea, about 30,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer every‍ year. It is a disease that often ⁤occurs in people over 50 years old, but recently, the age of onset has decreased due to poor diet⁤ and ⁢lack of exercise. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of colon cancer patients in their 20s and 30s​ in Korea increased by 34.3% over ⁤the four years from 2017 to 2021.

If a person who usually has regular bowel movements suddenly has long and thin stools or sees bright⁣ red or dark red blood in the stool, he or she ⁤needs to undergo a colonoscopy or other tests. If ⁢accompanied by anemia, loss of appetite, and weight ⁢loss, colon cancer can be suspected even​ more.⁣ Even if there ⁤are no particular symptoms, it is recommended to undergo‍ regular colonoscopy tests starting in ⁤your 40s.