When a 28-year-old man was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, it came as a shocking revelation. Now 34, Joe Faratzis reflects on the six warning signs of cancer that he ignored, which led to his advanced diagnosis. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and paying attention to what your body is trying to tell you.
The Early Signs He Overlooked
Faratzis, a TMZ producer, admitted that he ignored early symptoms for months, attributing them to less serious health issues. His journey began in 2019, but it wasn’t until months of ignoring his symptoms that he finally sought a colonoscopy, uncovering the devastating truth. Now, Faratzis is urging others to take early screenings seriously and pay attention to the warning signs of cancer.
1. Sweating and Night Sweats
Dr. Cathy Eng, a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, highlights that symptoms like night sweats, fatigue, chronic anemia, and weight loss can be indicators of advanced colon cancer. Faratzis experienced these night sweats but brushed them off as something insignificant.
2. Lower Right Abdominal Pain
Pain in the lower right abdomen can point to issues with the ascending colon, as explained by Healthline. Faratzis noted this pain early on but failed to connect it to a serious problem, dismissing it instead of seeking medical advice.
