Young Woman’s ‘Embarrassing’ Symptom Leads to Stage 3 Colon Cancer Diagnosis
PARIS – A 24-year-old woman, Meagan, is sharing her story to raise awareness about the rising incidence of colon cancer in young adults, after a seemingly minor symptom led to a Stage 3 diagnosis. Initially dismissing small amounts of blood in the toilet as something else, Meagan learned she had cancer after seeking medical attention.
“It was not in disturbing quantities; it was not always there. I almost never noticed it. I easily put it on the account of something else,” she recalled. Meagan admitted publicly discussing her experience was difficult, stating, “Obviously, nobody wants to talk about her excrement. But it’s always better to be examined.”
Her case highlights a concerning trend: colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger people. According to France’s Gustave Roussy Institute, over 43,000 people are diagnosed annually, making it one of the most common cancers in the contry. Gustave Roussy Hospital reported a 13% increase in colorectal cancers among those under 50 in 2022.
While early detection leads to a 90% cure rate, the disease often presents uniquely in younger patients. Symptoms include blood in stool, abdominal pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Meagan, now undergoing chemotherapy, hopes her story will encourage others to take symptoms seriously, even if they feel embarrassed to discuss them. “I went from a 24-year-old normal girl to now have to plan something that I hadn’t even considered,” she confided. “All this is so surreal.”