What do you know about colon cancer? A single mother has come forward and spoken about her battle with stage four colon cancer in an effort to raise awareness of the warning signs she ignored. Radwah Oda, a mother of one from Texas, juggles raising her son, working an office job, and fighting her cancer.
She went viral on TikTok when she posted a video about her journey that garnered over 2.3 million views, sharing the symptoms she had overlooked. She urged the public to take their health more seriously and not ignore these often-overlooked symptoms, which are major warning signs.
Changes in stools
Radwah began by describing one of her first warning signs of colon cancer. Her bowel habits had changed. She noticed that her stools were starting to take the shape of a pencil and initially dismissed the idea, assuming it was just mild constipation.
Another symptom of colon cancer
She noted that her stools appeared to contain small amounts of blood and attributed this to hemorrhoids. Apparently, this is often overlooked. She also mentioned that she never felt her bowels were completely empty after going to the toilet. “Every time I went to the toilet, I felt like I still needed to go. I kept pushing and pushing, but nothing came out,” she described.
Unexplained pain
Another common symptom well-known in the cancer community is abdominal pain. With colon cancer, this pain can often occur in other areas as the disease progresses. Oda described her pain starting under her right breast, dismissing it as a poorly fitting bra. “I assumed my bra was too tight, even though it was only on one side,” she explained.
The pain she was experiencing was actually an indication that the colon cancer had already spread to her liver. This alone should underscore the importance of constantly monitoring unusual pain and consulting a doctor if these symptoms persist, as they could indicate something more serious.
Chronic fatigue
Radwah also suffered from chronic fatigue, another common symptom of colon cancer. She found that even though she made sure to get enough rest, she felt constantly tired. She eventually found herself taking several naps throughout the day. “I still needed to nap several times a day, and nothing really helped,” she noted. Chronic fatigue is common in cancer patients, especially those with colon cancer, because it depletes the body’s resources.
Other signs of colon cancer
In another video, she discussed the additional symptoms she experienced before receiving her cancer diagnosis. She suffered from chronic weight loss, a lack of appetite, and terrible stomach pains. “Until the doctors told me I had cancer, I attributed these symptoms to a ‘really bad stomach problem,'” she shared. These are often overlooked, but it’s important to see a doctor when unexplained changes occur in your body.
Advocating for Awareness
“If you have any of these symptoms, don’t worry, but go see a doctor,” she urged in her video. Radwah Oda’s story certainly conveyed a strong message to viewers advocating for people to take their health more seriously. Younger people often dismiss their symptoms, finding excuses instead of seeking help.
