Despite Severe Abdominal Pain, Doctor Said "You're Too Young to Worry"... Diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer

Abdominal Pain and Constipation Symptoms...
Misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome at the Hospital
Cancer Diagnosis Came Seven Months After Initial Pain

A man in his 30s who suffered from abdominal pain, constipation, and abdominal bloating was repeatedly misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease, only to eventually be diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.

Mohamad Samad diagnosed with colon cancer after a misdiagnosis. Samad Instagram

According to Business Insider on January 28 (local time), Mohamad Samad, a former project manager living in the United Kingdom, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021 after his symptoms were initially mistaken for stress and irritable bowel syndrome.

Samad lived without any notable health issues until 2020, when he was 37 years old. He even described his condition before the cancer diagnosis as "the best shape of my life." Samad maintained a vegetable-based diet, drank a healthy smoothie every morning, and consistently engaged in cycling, exercise, yoga, and meditation.

However, in October of that same year, he suddenly experienced a sharp pain in his lower abdomen that lasted about 20 seconds. He recalled, "The pain was so intense that I dropped to my knees."

By December, the pain began to recur every morning and evening, and he started to feel a hard lump in his abdomen about the size of a golf ball. He also experienced extreme fatigue, constipation, and abdominal bloating. Although he used to enjoy playing basketball during lunch breaks, he gradually began spending that time taking naps instead.

Samad thought these symptoms might be related to stress, his eating habits, or even COVID-19. He said, "I didn't think it looked that serious." However, at his wife's urging, he visited a hospital in January 2021.

Over the following five months, he saw three different doctors in succession, but was repeatedly misdiagnosed with stress-related symptoms, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn's disease.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

He Visited the Hospital for Abdominal Pain But Was Told, "You're Too Young for Cancer"

In fact, misdiagnosis of cancer in young patients is not uncommon. Symptoms of colon cancer often overlap with those of other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, making diagnosis particularly challenging in young, otherwise healthy patients.

According to a 2020 survey conducted by the British colon cancer charity Bowel Cancer UK of 1,295 colon cancer patients under the age of 50, 42% of respondents said they had been told by a doctor that they were too young to have cancer. Additionally, two-thirds of respondents said they were initially misdiagnosed with conditions presenting similar symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, or anemia.

Early symptoms of colon cancer in younger people include bloody stools, abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, and constipation. Samad also visited the hospital complaining of abdominal pain, constipation, and abdominal bloating.

The first doctor he saw pressed on his abdomen but said he could not feel a lump, suggesting the possibility of "intestinal blockage" due to stress and prescribed a laxative. However, when his symptoms did not improve after four weeks, another doctor prescribed medication for irritable bowel syndrome, additional laxatives, and recommended an elimination diet. An elimination diet is a method of dietary control in which certain foods that may trigger symptoms are restricted for a period of time to identify the cause.

It Took Seven Months After the Initial Pain for a Specialist Consultation... Tumor Discovered in Colon

However, when his symptoms did not improve after two more weeks, Samad requested a blood test. He said, "I told them I wouldn't leave the hospital without a test." The results showed abnormally high inflammation markers, and further blood and stool tests conducted in the emergency room also indicated abnormalities.

Ultimately, about seven months after his initial pain, he was finally able to see a specialist. Although Crohn's disease was initially suspected, a colonoscopy revealed a tumor, and a biopsy confirmed it was advanced colon cancer.

Samad underwent chemotherapy and surgery, but after two rounds of chemotherapy, he suffered a severe infection and was hospitalized for five months, which interrupted his treatment. During that time, the tumor grew to the size of a small watermelon, and eventually, a bowel perforation occurred, requiring emergency surgery to remove the tumor.

Test results confirmed that Samad's tumor was positive for Lynch syndrome, a genetic disorder that increases the risk of developing various cancers, including colon cancer. However, studies are ongoing to determine the causes, as the incidence of colon cancer is increasing among young people without Lynch syndrome, regardless of healthy lifestyle habits.

The surgery was successful, but he was left with nerve damage in his leg and the need to use a colostomy bag. He has now been cancer-free for two years.

In 2022, Samad started a blog to share his experience and raise awareness about colon cancer among young people. He emphasized, "There is still a strong perception that cancer only affects the elderly," and urged, "Do not ignore the signals your body is sending you. If you have symptoms, you must see a specialist."