39-Year-Old Man Dismissed Extreme Pain In His Left Buttock As A Skating Injury. It Turned Out To Be Stage 3 Colon Cancer: ‘I Had A Feeling Something Wasn’t Right’

“The diagnosis was a shock and it took a few weeks to really sink in. I had a feeling something was not right, but you’re never really prepared for news like that,” Spary, who will need to re-learn how to walk during his recovery, said during recent interview with PA Real Life, according to the Independent.

Spary said his symptoms, which included an extreme, burning pain from an abscess in his life buttock, started in March 2024, and led him to go to a nearby emergency room.

On June 14, 2024, he was informed he had stage 3 bowel [colon] cancer, which doctors discovered following an MRI scan and a biopsy, which showed a tumor near his colon.

Spary’s cancer was ultimately linked to him having Crohn’s disease, a lifelong condition which can cause chronic inflammation in any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus.

“When you have Crohn’s and colitis, inflammation in the intestines over time can lead to abnormal growths that can develop into colon cancer,” Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, director of clinical research at UCLA’s Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Los Angeles, previously to told SurvivorNet.

“If you have these conditions, you can keep inflammation under control, and lower your risk, by sticking to your treatment plan and staying up to date on recommended screenings.”

RELATED: Colitis and Some Cases of Crohn’s Raise Colon Cancer Risk

Speaking about his diagnosis, Spary said, “They class it as colon cancer but the tumor has branched off of my colon in my buttocks area and is spreading.

“We’re focusing on the positives, which helps, taking it that it’s treatable and I can beat it.”

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As for his treatment plan, on July 8, 2024, he had a stoma bag [used after someone undergoes a colostomy or ileostomy a procedure where part of your intestines are hooked up through the front of your belly] put in his body to prep for chemo and radiotherapy treatment two months later.

However, since the tumor hasn’t shrunk as doctors wanted, his most recent surgery was done with hopes of leaving him cancer free. The surgery he just underwent, which took out what was left of his colon and tumor, was followed by surgery to repair his pelvic floor. He also had a plastic surgeon reconstruct his buttock/

Spary, who feels thankful for the support he’s had from his loved ones, told PA Real Life, “After this process, I’ll be back on my feet, stronger and fitter with no more Crohn’s and no more cancer, sorted.”

Back in July 2024, Spary wrote in an Instagram post, alongside a selfie, “The difference a week makes… Last week I had a colostomy surgery as the first stage of my bowel cancer treatment.

“I’ve suffered with Crohn’s issues for the last 15 years of my life, including a perianal fistula. I was recently diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer, which is located in the fistula off of my colon.”

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He continued, “The next stage will be radiotherapy/chemotherapy, followed by a removal of the cancerous area and surrounding tissue/muscle and potentially a bit of plastic surgery to reshape my ass.

“The care and support I’ve had through this already is incredible. We’re so lucky to have the NHS [National Health Service in the U.K.)! And I’m even luckier to have such amazing friends and family supporting me through this! Especially my parents and my rock @amyspencer636 ❤️
I have no doubt in my mind that I won’t absolutely smash this and be back to full health.”

However, fast forward to May 20, 2025, Spary informed his Instagram followers that he was set to undergo surgery and won’t be running for a few months.

After expressing his excitement, he explained, “Back in Tunbridge Wells at my parents for the recovery process. I’ll be at hospital for around a week and then chilling in their garden for June. If you’re in the area, get yourself round for a cuppa [coffee].

“I was just starting to see some progress with my running after treatment, but got to start from scratch again. I love the idea of having to build myself back up slowly. I’ve always enjoyed physical challenges, and this one is the first of many more to come. London Marathon booked in for next year!!”

In an effort to help others like himself, he’s prepping to run in the 2026 London Marathon, and has created a GoFundMe.

He explains on the GoFundMe page, “I’ve recently been given the opportunity to run in the London marathon for a charity that is very close to my heart, especially after what I’ve been through over the past year.

“Trekstock is a charity that helps to support people in their 20s and 30s who have been diagnosed with Cancer. They are continually working to improve the lives of young people who may feel like everything has been ripped apart by this horrible illness. They offer a community for those suffering and they create meet and move events, wellness sessions and physical activities to get people out and fighting things head on. I feel very privileged to support such a charity that is doing such positive work for young people in need.”

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He concluded, “Keeping fit and healthy during my cancer journey has been my best weapon against it. I know that the next 3-6 months of my recovery from surgery are going to be very tough, but having the goal of running my first marathon next year (stoma bag and all!) are going to be my motivation to stay positive and keep going.

“Please help me support by donating anything that you can!! Thank You!!!”

Colon Cancer in Younger Adults

The average age people are diagnosed with colon cancer is 68 for men and 72 for women, according to the American Cancer Society — but the rate at which younger adults are diagnosed has been on the rise. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults aged 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer.

The National Cancer Institute reports that since the 1990s, colorectal cancer cases have been rising among adults younger than 50. Research published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians found that the proportion of cases in people younger than 55 “increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.”

Researchers are still trying to determine why younger people are being diagnosed in more significant numbers. Some experts point to risk factors, which include obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, as a possible explanation for the increase.

“We don’t know for sure why we are seeing earlier onset and death from colon cancer,” Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist who specializes in colorectal cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet. “It is likely a combination of factors, including diet and genetics as well as access to care and some environmental factors.”

Understanding Colon Cancer

Colon or colorectal cancer, which is called bowel cancer in the United Kingdom, affects your large intestine (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum).

The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. If you don’t have these polyps removed, they can sometimes change into cancer. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts.

Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy

Most colon cancers can be prevented by regular screening. The screening usually involves a colonoscopy, in which a long, thin tube attached to a camera examines the colon and rectum. If no polyps are discovered, the next screening will not be needed for about 10 years.

“We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early,” Dr. Yeo explained. “Lowering the screening age helps somewhat with this, but access to care is a real problem.”

What are Colon Polyps?

A colon polyp is a small group of cells that forms on the colon’s lining.

When you have a colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist looks for polyps inside your intestine. Although polyps can’t be felt, they can be picked up by screening tests before they become cancerous.

Almost all polyps that are removed are precancerous, meaning that they have not yet progressed to cancer.

WATCH: Helping You Understand Colorectal Cancer

A Colonoscopy Explained

A colonoscopy is a procedure doctors use to screen for colon cancer by looking inside your colon.

This procedure requires your colon to be “cleaned out.” To clear out your colon, your doctor will prescribe a “bowel prep,” a liquid you drink the night before the procedure. The prep acts as a laxative that causes you to have multiple loose stools before your procedure.

Once your colon is cleared, the gastroenterologist performing the procedure can have a clear look to evaluate if any polyps or masses are present. Depending on the size and number of polyps found, it may be recommended that patients undergo a repeat colonoscopy within three to five years.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, previously explained the colonoscopy procedure to SurvivorNet.

“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” he explained. “What does that mean? That means we basically put a wire through with a little bit of a flange at the end, and we pull the polyp out. Now, note there is no pain with that. Inside the colon, there are no pain fibers. So there’s no pain,” Dr. Murrell added.

The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.

What Increases Your Risk for Colon Cancer?

For some people, certain factors can increase their risk of getting colon cancer.

They include the following:

• Age. About 90% of cases are in people aged 50 or older, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Yet it is possible to get this cancer earlier in life.
• Inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can, over time, cause cells in your intestines to turn cancerous.
• A family history of this cancer. Just under one-third of people who get colon cancer have family members with the disease.
• A genetic mutation. About 5% of colorectal cancers are caused by an inherited genetic mutation that causes syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
• Lack of exercise. Staying active can lower your risk.
• A diet that’s high in meat. Regularly eating red meats like burgers and steaks, and processed meats such as hot dogs and bacon might put you at higher risk.  Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead might lower your risk.
• Being overweight or obese. Having too much weight increases your risk of both getting colon cancer and dying from it.
• Alcohol use.  Limiting alcohol to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men could help lower your risk.
• Tobacco use. Long-term smokers are more likely to get this cancer than nonsmokers.

Which Treatments are Best for You?

It’s important to understand that your doctor has many ways to treat colon cancer, depending on what stage the cancer is, including:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for most early-stage colon cancers, according to the doctors SurvivorNet spoke with. The surgeon will remove the part of the colon or rectum where there is cancer, along with a small area of healthy tissue around it. Taking out as much of the cancer as possible is important for improving your outcome.

The surgery may be performed through small incisions (laparoscopy), or through a larger incision. Some people may need to wear a special bag (ostomy) to collect wastes after surgery.

Radiation Therapy

This treatment aims high-energy x-rays at the cancer to destroy the abnormal cells. The radiation can come from a machine outside your body, or be placed directly inside your body. Sometimes people get radiation before surgery, to shrink the tumor and make it easier for the surgeon to remove. This is called neoadjuvant radiation.

Chemotherapy

This treatment uses strong medicine to stop cancer cells from dividing, no matter where they are in your body. You may get a combination of chemotherapy drugs as your first treatment. Chemotherapy has been very well studied for colorectal cancer, and it is known to improve survival.

The most common therapy is a combination of chemo drugs called FOLFOX:

• FOL = leucovorin calcium (folinic acid)
• F = fluorouracil
• OX = oxaliplatin

Your doctor may add medications like irinotecan (FOLFIRI) or cetuximab, depending on how well your tumor shrinks with treatment and other specifics about your particular cancer. For FOLFOX, the medications are given through the vein and require regular doctor visits.

To determine exactly which chemotherapy regimen you get, your doctor will consider your age and how well you might tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy. Gene mutations (for example, BRAF and KRAS) and the location of the primary colon tumor also factor into the decision.

You can also get chemotherapy before colon cancer surgery, which is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Getting chemo first helps to shrink the tumor, which can make both the surgery and recovery easier, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. Chemo is also a treatment for cancer that returns after therapy.

Targeted Therapy

This treatment targets substances like proteins or genes that the cancer needs to grow. This makes targeted therapy more precise than chemotherapy, and less likely to damage healthy cells. One example of targeted therapy is bevacizumab (Avastin), which stops the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. Another group of targeted therapies are called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which block the cancer from growing.

Immunotherapy

This treatment makes your own immune system a more efficient cancer fighter. A group of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, which includes pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), work by preventing cancer cells from hiding from your immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors may extend the amount of time before the cancer spreads.

Dr. Paul Oberstein, on which treatments doctors use to turn stage 4 colon cancer into a chronic but manageable disease

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, here are some questions you may ask your doctor.

• What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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