45-Year-Old Man Had ‘Zero Symptoms’ Until ‘Sudden Abdominal Pains’ Revealed Stage Four Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis—Now He’s Spreading Awareness

Colorectal cancer, which is called bowel cancer in the United Kingdom, where Butcher is from, is a disease where cells in the rectum or colon grow out of control.

In a recent interview with BBC News, Butcher explained how his diagnosis arose “completely out of the blue” in the fall of 2021, when he suspected his “sudden abdominal pains” were appendicitis.

However, a scan ultimately unveiled a cancerous tumor was “completely” blocking his bowel—a discovery which led Butcher to undergo a 15-hour surgery, as his cancer had metastasized [spread] to his liver.

He underwent cytoreductive surgery, the removal of all areas of cancer within the abdominal cavity, and heated chemotherapy afterwards.

Now, in an effort to support Butcher, his friends will be participating in a 15-hour workout challenge on June 22 in Bristol to raise money for St Peter’s Hospice and Bowel Cancer UK

Butcher, a dad to his 14-year-old daughter, tells BBC, “There’s so many patients, even much younger than me, that are diagnosed and dealing with bowel cancer. I really want to support them.”

His friend Davis Champion, who will be taking part in the charity exercise event, added, “Mark didn’t take a break during his operation, so we’re going to try and keep moving that whole time.”

Champion continued, “Everyone wanted to do something. You feel helpless in these situations and Mark has been such an inspiration.”

As for the immense amount of “messages, love and support” Butcher has received, he’s described it as “overwhelming.”

RELATED: Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important; Guidelines Now Say to Start at Age 45 if There Is No Family History

Butcher explained, “There’s people I probably haven’t interacted with in 30-plus years who are sending money and messages of support. It makes me realize how much of an impact we have unconsciously on other people’s lives.

“It shows what lifelong friendship actually means – when you need that love and support, it’s there.”

Understanding Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is very treatable and curable if caught early. Colon cancer screenings can involve at-home tests such as Cologuard, but a colonoscopy is more effective, according to SurvivorNet experts. A colonoscopy involves a long, thin tube attached to a camera to examine the colon and rectum. If no polyps are discovered, the following screening won’t be needed for ten years. Polyps are small growths in the colon that are not yet cancerous but can potentially develop into cancer.

RELATED: Too Young for Colon Cancer? That’s What Everyone Told These Women Before They Were Diagnosed With It

“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, explained.

The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts.

The Rate of Colon Cancer is Increasing in Those Under 50

The most poignant signature of colon cancer includes a change in bowel habits. This may include constipation or diarrhea due to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements. A change in stool color, mainly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor that lies deep in the colon.

When to Screen for Colon Cancer?

The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends guidelines that state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45 years old. This is in response to the increase we see in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults. However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those under 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50 years or older, but for those predisposed to getting it at a younger age, these new guidelines could help catch it earlier.

Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.

WATCH: The value of getting a colonoscopy.

The best and most complete way of screening is a colonoscopy every ten years. You should get your first colonoscopy at age 45, but the guidelines differ depending on your risk category.

If you have a close relative who has colon cancer, a rule of thumb is to get screened ten years before their age of diagnosis to make sure any growths or cancers are caught early.

If you have several family members who had colon cancer or family members who got it at a young age (less than 50 years old), it may be necessary to undergo genetic screening.

If you have a lot of polyps on your colonoscopy or if you have had colon cancer previously, you will need a colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years.

Colon Cancer Symptoms

With Diagnosis, Vulnerability

According to Dr. William Breitbart, the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a diagnosis of cancer can bring on feelings of vulnerability in all of us.

A cancer diagnosis brings a sense of vulnerability, says Dr. William Breitbart, the chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The shame that people tend to feel after a cancer diagnosis comes from a sense of vulnerability, says Dr. Breitbart. “People feel ashamed that their bodies were susceptible to disease, that they have to undergo treatment, that maybe they’re not as strong as they’d like others to believe.”

RELATED: Removing The Shame From Cancer & A New Approach to Survival How Patrick Dempsey, Marcia Cross & Leading Advocates Are Breaking The Mold

“What I will often point out to people, is that we have the ability to choose how we respond to this vulnerability,” says Dr. Breitbart. “We can be ashamed of it, or we can use it to create a sense of empathy.”

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?
• Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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