This 31-Year-Old Woman Shared the Subtle Signs
That She Had Colon Cancer, And It’s So Important.
This year, researchers at the American Cancer Society predicts about 153,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. But unlike past years, they say a growing percentage of these patients will likely be younger adults under 50 — a predicted 13%.
That’s 9% more than were diagnosed in 2020.
And while that’s not an enormous slice of the population (~19,890 people), it’s still important to know what symptoms to look out for. It’s not totally clear to researchers
why more younger people are getting colorectal cancer, though it may be linked to diet, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle factors.
However, on the individual level, doctors really don’t know why any one person gets cancer while others don’t. It’s pretty much random.
It’s not totally clear to researchers why more younger people are getting colorectal cancer, though it may be linked to diet, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle factors. However, on the individual level, doctors really don’t know why any one person gets cancer while others don’t. It’s pretty much random .
Athima Tongloom / Getty Images© Provided by BuzzFeed
The CDC currently recommends starting screening for colorectal cancers at age 45, which means that for younger patients, it’s up to us to know our bodies and raise a red flag when something seems off. But how do we know when it’s time to make that appointment?
Recently, 31-year-old Bri Mahon (@brimahon), a mom of twins living in Newport Beach, California, took to TikTok to share the symptoms that led to her stage three colon cancer diagnosis, and her story is so important to hear.
In the video, which has been viewed nearly 2 million times, Bri shares that she was experiencing digestive issues for the last few years that she thought were due to IBS.
Then, she started noticing her anxiety levels spiking and felt a lot of fatigue.
“I was having panic attacks and I think it’s just because my body was really, really,
really tired and going through whatever, it’s going through growing a tumor.”
Then, last September, she gave birth to her twins who were premature and had to stay
in the NICU for four months. During this time, she noticed blood in her stool but thought it was related to the pregnancy.
Plus, she says, “I wasn’t even really thinking about what I was going through. I thought it was stress. I thought it was depression. I thought it was anxiety, kind of all these things coming up again.
My fatigue was really bad, but again, I justified it in my head as my boys are in the NICU.”
But she shared that she finally sounded the alarm to her doctor when she started to notice blood in her stool more regularly. Her doctor then referred her to a GI specialist who ordered a colonoscopy, performed 10 biopsies, and finally gave Bri her diagnosis.
@brimahon My cancer symptoms for getting diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer
probably a lot of TMI but hopefully this helps someone 
#colon cancer awareness #colorectal cancer #fuckcancer #cancersucks #cancerfighter #cancer symptoms
♬ original sound – Bri Mahon | Twin Mama
In the comments, people shared their own experiences with going in to check out,
like this person who pushed for a colonoscopy when they were 23 which found a pre-cancerous polyp. BTW, a polyp is the medical term for a growth in the lining of your bowel. Survivors also chimed in to share that though this diagnosis can be terrifying to hear, they got through treatment and are now cancer free.
People also called out how medical gaslighting can make patients, especially young women, doubt our symptoms. And others shared that they’ve gone in for similar symptoms and received a different diagnosis. So while these signs may point to cancer, you can’t know for sure until you get checked out.
Since every individual patient’s case is different, I reached out to Dr. Amit Garg.
He’s a board certified hematologist/oncologist who’s been practicing since 2014,
and who has also posted on TikTok to raise awareness of colon cancer in younger adults.@blooddocdad
Awareness is key #coloncancer #colon cancer awareness #colon cancer fighter
#colon cancer survivor #oncology #fyp #trending #breakingnews #cancer #greenscreen
♬ original sound – Amit Garg, MD Dr. Amit Garg, @blooddocdad / Via tiktok.com
First, I asked Dr. Garg for signs that can point to colorectal cancer.
He said, “Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and unexplained iron deficiency anemia.” While I wouldn’t go running to the doctor over diarrhea lasting just a day or two, symptoms that last longer without another obvious cause should set off alarm bells.
Sebastian Kaulitzki / Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF
© Provided by BuzzFeed
He also shared some factors that can predispose someone to developing this form
of cancer. “Known risk factors for colorectal cancer include hereditary syndromes
(Lynch Syndrome, Adenomatous polyposis syndrome), personal family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns disease, Ulcerative colitis).
There are risk factors that have shown to increase risk of colorectal cancer but do
not affect screening guidelines (obesity, diabetes, red and processed meat, tobacco,
alcohol use).”
If you’re worried about your risk of colon cancer, Dr. Garg says that some lifestyle
tweaks could help prevent it. “Protective factors include physical activity, diet rich in fiber. Aspirin and NSAID use has been shown to decrease colonic adenomas which in the long run decreases risk of colorectal cancer.” And he urges anyone who’s experiencing symptoms that are out of the ordinary for them to get checked out.
Don’t ignore symptoms!” Seriously, don’t!!! Bri told BuzzFeed that even though she’s usually cool under pressure, hearing her GI doctor say she likely had cancer was really overwhelming. “Any unexplained abdominal symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor
to determine any need for lab testing, imaging or colonoscopy.
“Hearing the doctor say she thinks it’s cancer shattered me to think about what
this means for my babies. The next few days I felt like I was living in a different world than my ‘reality,’ and didn’t share anything with friends or family until my biopsy results came back positive for cancer, two days later.”
But once her diagnosis was confirmed, Bri found herself in a whirlwind of appointments making a treatment plan. “We found out that I have stage 3c colorectal cancer, and that due to where my tumor is placed and the aggressive nature of it, I will begin two rounds
of chemotherapy and radiation, first with pills, then chemotherapy infusion.
Once my chemotherapy and radiation treatment are complete, I am looking at surgery to remove the remaining part of the tumor. The whole process will most likely take six to nine months, not including recovery time from surgery and chemo.” She shared that she’s also doing IVF right now because her treatment plan will affect her fertility.
Bri says that the response to her video has been really moving, and she hopes that it can help at least one person get the care they need. “I’ve read many comments of personal stories and heartbreak, also success stories and celebration. I was surprised that so many people said they are worried about things they are experiencing and are going to get checked out or schedule a colonoscopy because of my symptom video… I hope that one person sees this, gets a colonoscopy, or goes to the doctor for something they’ve been putting off and it saves them.”
@brimahon / Via tiktok.com
© Provided by BuzzFeed
She also shared that living with this disease is so much more than the brave cancer warrior stereotype. “I have had many moments where I feel completely motivated, and also am riding a rollercoaster where I have days where I just want to cry and cry and cry — for my boys, for my family, for what’s to come. I do feel like at this moment before treatment starts, I am in the eye of the storm. In some ways, I feel more present than I ever have in my entire life.
Every moment with my twins is extra special. I cry tears of joy more than I ever have. Because I just really love my life. Which scares me, too.”
And her physical experience hasn’t been stereotypical either. “I think the most shocking thing about my diagnosis is that I would have never guessed it was cancer.
Sure, I felt off in a way where I wanted to get checked out, but I originally assumed I had IBS and nothing concerning. Every time I’ve thought of cancer, I did not imagine an active, incredibly healthy 31-year-old with energy. It still feels very surreal to me to have my diagnosis.”
#ontherun Photo / Getty Images© Provided by BuzzFeed
Her treatment plan is also not what you might picture based on what you’ve seen in movies and TV shows. “It has surprised me that many people don’t know about modern treatment and chemotherapy. In addition to that, most people associate cancer with complete hair loss and a full-time hospital stay and incredible sickness…
I will be taking chemo pills from home and hopefully won’t have as much hair loss as most people think when it comes to chemotherapy. Even with an infusion chemo treatment, the biggest obstacles that will come with it are fatigue, nausea, some hair loss but not all, and cold sensitivity.”
@brimahon / Via tiktok.com
© Provided by BuzzFeed
Finally, Bri says, “I am lucky that we caught my cancer early enough that I can go through treatment and have a chance. They said if I had waited the cancer would have metastasized quickly, as it is already appearing to show in my lymph nodes.
My goal through sharing my story, journey, and all of this is to show
whoever needs to hear it and see it that they can get through hard things.
I want to show my boys that strength comes from softness and vulnerability and not
giving up regardless. It is actually something they taught me going through the NICU,
and now I get to take that courage and strength on my own journey.”
The Potential Heart Health Benefits of Alcohol Might Be Thanks to Your Brain, a New Study Suggests – Bing video
Not to be a buzzkill, but the researchers still aren’t giving you an Rx to drink daily—
find out why. Follow Bri on TikTok or check out her GoFundMe. Pinterest
(66) Pinterest (2) Bri Mahon (@brimahon_) / Twitter (66) Pinterest Pinterest
Dr. Howard E. LeWine
M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience ·
USAHere is some of the ways we can prevent cancer: • Maintain a healthy weight. • Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products. • Avoid alcohol or have an average of no more than one alcoholic drink per day. • Avoid binge drinking, even if you don’t drink most days of the week • Eat a diet rich in vegetables, especially the green leafy ones. They are rich in folic acid. For women, folic acid may offset any increased risk of breast cancer from drinking alcohol. • Eat more fiber-rich foods. It may lower your risk of colon cancer. • Stay physically active, and try to find time every day for dedicated exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.
Dr. Gouri Ramesh
Doctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 1 years of experience ·
IndiaCarcinogenic food includes Refined sugar Canned food red meat Artificial colors
Food Dye Active Ingredient that causes Cancer – Search (bing.com) Farmed salmon Genetically modified edibles. The best diet is to always include more fruits and vegetables.
You may adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of cancer such as following a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate hydration, avoiding sugar containing and processed food items, reducing stress, cut down fat containing fried snacks, consume more antioxidants which is present in leafy vegetables, nuts seeds and microgreens, practice yoga like relaxation techniques, rest and sleep properly, avoid radiation, etc.
Here is some of the ways we can prevent cancer: • Maintain a healthy weight. • Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products. • Avoid alcohol or have an average of no more than one alcoholic drink per day. • Avoid binge drinking, even if you don’t drink most days of the week • Eat a diet rich in vegetables, especially the green leafy ones. They are rich in folic acid. For women, folic acid may offset any increased risk of breast cancer from drinking alcohol. • Eat more fiber-rich foods. It may lower your risk of colon cancer. • Stay physically active, and try to find time every day for dedicated exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.
Dr. Rachel C. Situmorang
Doctor of Medicine (MD) · 5 years of experience ·
IndonesiaAlso Both cancer and depression are insidious diseases which often happen together. First, we need to know the difference between cancer and depression. Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. With cancer you could get a tumor or you may have chemotherapy for treatment. But depression you can’t see and put it out of your body, can lead to suicide even it’s curable with proper treatment. Cancer invades the body, depression invades the psyched. Which takes more lives? It depends on the personality of the person, like how to deal with coping mechanisms (adaptation), their spiritual life, continuous treatment and medications, and accepting reality. Cancer: Ask Health Professionals (msn.com)
Related video:
Cancer Dies When You Eat These 12 Foods (Cancer SECRETS) – YouTube
Worst Fast Food Restaurants Where We Should All Avoid Eating (standardnews.com)
Touching moment 11-year-old US cancer patient meets British donor who saved his life.
This 31-Year-Old Woman Shared Subtle Signs That She Had Colon Cancer, (msn.com)
This 31-Year-Old Woman Shared Subtle Signs That She Had Colon Cancer, (yahoo.com)
My IBS turned out to be colorectal cancer – here are the symptoms I ignored | Daily Mail
Replying to @steffieegee it was an also insanely quick turnaround- i think … | TikTok
The smallest step forward is the BIGGEST NEWS EVER. Celebrating maybe possibly?!?!
#duet with @Bri Mahon | Twin Mama #coloncancerawareness #colorectalcan… | TikTok
(191) Bri Mahon – YouTube BRI MAHON (@bri_mahon) • Instagram photos and videos
#twinmom #boymom #twinboys #twin pregnancy #pregnancy #nicu #nicumom