Ashley Robinson, a 35-year-old from Dacorum, Hertfordshire, never imagined that the stress of preparing for his wedding would lead to something much more serious than just pre-wedding nerves.
While dealing with stomach issues, he assumed it was the usual anxiety, as medics told him his symptoms would clear up soon.
However, the reality was far more terrifying: Robinson had advanced colon cancer, with a tumor the size of an orange growing inside his body.
A Misdiagnosis and Growing Concerns
Mr. Robinson first noticed blood in his stool last May and sought advice from his GP.
Despite his concerns, the doctor dismissed his symptoms as insignificant, suggesting they would resolve in a week or so.
But when the situation worsened, with Robinson passing an alarming amount of blood, he decided to go to the emergency room.
Even then, doctors told him that cancer was unlikely, citing his age and instead diagnosing him with piles.
Despite the ongoing issues, Robinson and his wife were caught up in wedding preparations.
The medical advice kept assuring him there was nothing serious to worry about.
“The wedding was so consuming, and I was being told by every health professional that I definitely didn’t have cancer.
They were saying, ‘You’re fine, don’t worry, go and get married,’ so I took their word for it,” Robinson recalled.
The Breaking Point: Weight Loss and Wife’s Intervention
After the wedding, things took a dramatic turn. Robinson lost nearly 2st (12.7kg) in just one week, a change that alarmed him.
Yet, his attempts to get another appointment with his GP were unsuccessful.
It wasn’t until his wife, Jasmin, took matters into her own hands, “storming in” to the surgery to demand action, that a colonoscopy was finally scheduled.
The results were devastating: an orange-sized tumor had been growing in his colon, and the cancer had spread to his liver.
The Hard Truth
Robinson was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, the most severe stage, where the disease has spread beyond the colon.
“I was dreading getting the results back. I was told I had stage four colon cancer, which had spread to my liver. It was the worst news possible,” he said, noting how it deeply affected his wife as well.
Immediately, he began immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the immune system attack cancer cells.
To the surprise of his doctors, the tumor shrank by 90% after starting the therapy.
However, Robinson couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
“If they’d found it in May, they might have been able to treat it before it spread to my liver,” he reflected.
At 34 years old, he knew something was wrong with his body, but he felt that his concerns were repeatedly dismissed.
The Growing Concern for Younger Adults
Robinson’s story is part of a concerning trend: a rise in colon cancer diagnoses in younger people, a demographic traditionally less affected by this disease.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, and while rates in older adults have stabilized or even declined, diagnoses in younger adults have skyrocketed by 50% over the last 30 years.
Experts are pointing to various potential causes, including obesity, overuse of antibiotics, mobile phone radiation, and even particles of plastic in drinking water.
Additionally, many believe that the rise in ultra-processed foods may be playing a role.
Symptoms to Watch For
While colon cancer is most commonly diagnosed in those over 50, younger individuals are increasingly at risk.
Symptoms of colon cancer include persistent changes in bowel movements such as new diarrhea or constipation, increased or decreased frequency of bowel movements, and blood in the stool.
Other signs include stomach pain, bloating, unexpected weight loss, and fatigue.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their GP for advice. Early detection could make all the difference.