That of a woman TikTok colon video cancer The symptoms struck a chord with viewers, prompting many to share their own experiences and advice in the comments.

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TikToker Cherl (@just.cherl), diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at the age of 44, revealed five key symptoms she says she ignored for years.

Reflecting on her journey, Cherl hopes sharing her story will help others recognize these warning signs early and seek medical attention before it’s too late.

His video has garnered 2.3 million views at the time of writing.

What are the 5 symptoms ignored by the TikToker?

Cherl begins by detailing her severe stomach ache, a symptom she describes as persistent and debilitating.

“Every time I ate something, I got sick,” she explains. “I would just have a stomach ache… fried food, coffee, tea, meat… whatever you can think of, I would have a stomach ache.”

The pain was so intense that it disrupted his daily life.

“I became an introvert,” she says. “I couldn’t go out or hang out because who knows when I would have to apologize and go to the bathroom over and over again.”

The second symptom she ignored was a drastic change in her bowel habits.

“I went days without having a bowel movement,” Cherl says, noting that she thought it was due to her low food intake or the iron supplements she was taking.

“It was in the beginning, when if I had gone to the doctor, they would have seen polyps or tumors,” she explains.

Cherl mentions how easy it is to ignore these symptoms.

“We think stomach aches are normal,” she says. “But if you have a stomach ache two out of three meals or you’re constantly using Pepto Bismol or anti-diarrheal medications, there’s something wrong.”

Fatigue was another warning sign Cherl wished he hadn’t ignored.

“I was always tired and cold,” she shares. “I could sleep eight hours and still be exhausted. I might even have to stop while driving to take a nap.

Cherl also mentions her ongoing struggle with low iron levels, which began in her 20s. She recalls an incident in which the Red Cross refused her blood donation due to low iron levels, a warning sign they didn’t act on at the time.

Another overlooked symptom was his reaction to exercise. “My heart was beating like it was going to come out of my chest,” Cherl says. “I felt dizzy when I stood up and sometimes I had to hold on to something to keep from passing out.”

The last and most telling symptom was blood in her stool. Initially, Cherl thought the red blood she was seeing was due to hemorrhoids, a common occurrence in her younger years. But over time, the blood became dark and tar-like.

“As the cancer progressed, the stool became pencil-shaped,” she says, explaining how colon tumors can block the passage, changing the shape and color of the stool.

Throughout the video, Cherl emphasizes the importance of reporting problems to a medical professional.

“If you have any of these symptoms, whether it’s stomach pain, constipation, or blood in your stool, get yourself checked out,” she advises. “Don’t ignore it. I wish I had spoken sooner.

What do health professionals offer?

According to the Mayo ClinicIf you have persistent symptoms such as changes in your bowel habits, blood in your stool, abdominal cramps, or fatigue, it’s a good idea to schedule a screening.

Additionally, as the TikToker mentioned, low iron levels or anemia can also be a sign of colon cancer.

Although doctors often fail to identify the direct cause of most colon cancers, there are certain risk factors to consider. These include older age, race, personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease. Lifestyle factors, such as a high-fat, low-fiber diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and smoking, can also increase risks.

If you are concerned about any of these symptoms or risk factors, seeking advice from a healthcare professional or scheduling a screening is always a good step.

In the comments, users shared their stories about colon cancer.

“My sister had polyps and went to get them removed,” one user shared. “We never saw her alive again.”

“Stage 3 colon cancer. Diagnosed at age 34. Old,” wrote another. “The cantaloupe-sized tumor did not metastasize. 19 years cancer free.

“I have a colonoscopy tomorrow,” said a third. “November 21st I’m a little scared, I have all the symptoms you mentioned, thanks for sharing.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Cherl via TikTok comment and DM for more information.

@just.cherl 5 Signs of Colon Cancer I Ignored #coloncancer #womencare #cancersuck #survivor #cancerswareness ♬ original sound – just.me

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