34-Year-Old’s Pain Dismissed as ‘Stomach Bug’, But It Was Bowel Cancer: Knowing the Important Bathroom Symptoms to Watch For

Even just a month before his devastating diagnosis, Welsh’s doctors thought he simply had a “stomach bug” when he called them complaining of stomach pain and vomiting. Once he suffered from flu-like symptoms and his temperature spiked to 104°F, however, things became serious.

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Welsh was told he had sepsis upon arriving to the hospital. According to the Mayo Clinic, sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. Follow-up scans and testing showed he had a mass in his bowel that needed to be removed.

"It's your living nightmare," Welsh said. "It's the worst thing you can be told. But even then, the hospital said they were 99.9 per cent sure it was benign."

Sadly, they were wrong, and colonoscopy results led to his bowel cancer diagnosis in 2021 at age 34. Welsh was dealing with stage 4 cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes and omentum the layer of fat and blood vessels that projects off the colon and stomach.

"I was healthy, never smoked, never overweight. I had no genetic links to cancer," he said. "I got cancer through living my life normally, which is so worrying.

"We need to spread awareness. People who have always had IBS should push their GP to look into it more."

His treatments began with chemotherapy in December 2021, but a six-month scan revealed the effort was unsuccessful. Welsh also discovered his cancer was being fueled by a BRAF mutation a completely random genetic mutation that can be used as a biomarker for certain cancers including bowel cancer. People with a BRAF mutation indicated the need for aggressive treatment, according to our experts.

Biomarkers in Colon Cancer: Understanding KRAS, BRAF, and HER2

"People with a BRAF mutation have a higher risk of the cancer coming back," Dr. Paul Oberstein, a medical oncologist at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet. "And it may inform how we watch that patient going forward and what we do if it does come back.

“So, it's a piece of information to have that's necessary if the patient has cancer that returns or if they need treatment for their cancer."

Welsh knows the statistics for stage 4 bowel cancer, but that won’t stop him fighting. His family is currently raising money on GoFundMe so they have the financial freedom to pursue any and all treatment options.

"By hook or crook, we have to get to a curative position,” Welsh said. “You have to aim towards it otherwise you will feel totally helpless."

Bowel Cancer Is Affecting More Young People

Bowel cancers are generally referred to as colorectal cancers in the United States. The term colorectal cancer refers to a cancer that begins in the colon or rectum that’s why some people say colon cancer or rectal cancer depending on where the disease began.

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Gary Welsh wanted to share his bowel cancer journey because he wants more people to know the disease is affecting young, seemingly healthy people. Looking back on his diagnosis journey, he thinks "maybe something could have been picked up earlier" during his doctor visits for stomach issues if everyone involved had been more aware of the possibility of bowel cancer.

With April being IBS Awareness Month, Welsh sure does have a good message. His story is a reminder to know the important differences between seemingly benign stomach issues and colorectal cancer. IBS symptoms can include:

• Cramping
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Changes in the appearance of your stool
• Changes in how often your have a bowel movement

When there is constipation, the increased strain can lead to small tears in the rectum, resulting in some bleeding. However, persistent rectal bleeding is a serious symptom, and that can be an indication of colorectal cancer.

In comparison, colorectal cancer often presents with symptoms that include:

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one
• Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
• Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unintended weight loss

As you can see, the symptoms are very similar. However, a key sign that may be indicative of cancer is the unexplained weight loss and significant bleeding, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. If symptoms last more than two weeks, you should take your concerns to the doctor.

The Rate of Colon Cancer Is Increasing in People under 50

Welsh’s mission to educate is more than warranted. Recently published colorectal cancer statistics are even saying "one in five new cases" are now occurring in people in their early 50s or younger. That's why the the United States Preventive Services Task Force updated its colorectal cancer screening recommendations to begin at age 45 instead of 50.

"Colon cancer in the United States, across all age groups, has been decreasing over the last 20 years," colorectal surgeon Dr. Heather Yeo told SurvivorNet. "And that's most likely due to screening of colonoscopy.

"However, the only age group it's not been going down in is the age group under 50."

Knowing that this shift in the population landscape is crucial, but understanding what makes early-onset bowel cancer different is important, too.

"Early-onset colorectal cancers seem to be more aggressive and found at later stages in younger adults, but they are not necessarily more fatal if they are caught early," Dr. Yeo said.

In addition, these early-onset colorectal (bowel) cancers more often occur in women and are more likely to present with hematochezia (rectal bleeding) and abdominal pain at least in part because of the predominance of left-sided tumors.

Research suggests a tailored approach to screening, based on your lifestyle and family history, may be most beneficial. So, even if you're not yet 45, it's important to discuss your risk level and recommended screening protocols with your doctors.

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