48-year-old man with colon cancer reveals symptom No. 1: a daily problem affecting up to 20% of Americans

A video shared online following one patient’s cancer diagnosis has been viewed more than 100,000 times and has outlined a potential symptom that many people overlook.

Shawn Michael from Springfield, Missouri shared his experience on The Patient Story. The 48-year-old was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer and had been told that it was spreading to other organs. After a successful operation doctors are optimistic that he can beat cancer but he has revealed his shock at the diagnosis, given that he had only noticed one relatively common symptom.

Michael revealed that he had been suffering from constipation for months and found that over-the-counter treatments were having no effect. Eventually he went to an urgent care center and was able to relieve the symptoms but still felt the same discomfort.

He returned to urgent care for a CT scan and doctors found a mass in his colon, advising him to undergo immediate surgery to remove the blockage. They found a several large cancer-like tumors on his omentum and explained that they had been removed and prescribed a three-month course of chemotherapy.

He’s now on the road to recovery but Michael admits that the ordeal has been a difficult one for him and his family, given that the diagnosis was such a shock. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that 9%-20% of Americans suffer from chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

Constipation can be a symptom of colon cancer

Everyone’s body reacts to illnesses and diseases in different ways and there are very few symptoms that have a definitive cause. However researchers have identified a link between constipation and certain types of cancer.

A help page from Cancer.gov explains this link: “Constipation may be a sign or symptom of cancers that push on organs in the abdomen, block the movement of stool through the bowel, or affect the nerves in your spine connected to your bowel. Some cancers that may cause constipation include colon cancer, rectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and brain tumors.”

There are other reasons for this link, with some cancer treatments and medicines listing constipation as a side-effect. Similarly, the dietary and lifestyle changes that cancer patients are forced to make can also cause constipation.

If you’re suffering from constipation speak to your healthcare provider so you can identify the underlying problem and take steps to address it. In the vast majority of cases, causes of constipation are much less serious than colon cancer but it is important to get it checked out before the problem escalates.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.