Karen Kennerley never thought her tiredness would lead to such bad news. The 57-year-old mom of two from Lancashire felt very tired in December 2022. At first, she thought it was just from her busy job, as many working people might think. What she didn’t know was that this tiredness was a colon cancer symptom no one spotted for months. “I worked in a small school for special educational needs pupils, and I was working really hard at the time. I was exhausted,” Kennerley explained.
Her tiredness didn’t go away. Eventually, she went to see her doctor. After a blood test, the doctor said it might be low iron. However, the doctor still wanted her to have a test called a colonoscopy just to “rule out” any big bowel problems.
The Shocking Discovery
The test found something they didn’t expect. A tumor in her bowel. At first, doctors told her it wasn’t cancer. She had surgery set for May 2023 to take it out. Then things took a scary turn. The surgeon stopped during the surgery. The growth looked “odd.” Later tests showed what no one thought. It was cancer. Her first test results were wrong due to a “sampling error.” “I was devastated from being told that I was benign to then being told I have stage three colon cancer,” Kennerley said. “There were so many emotions. I was obviously devastated and then horrifically scared.”
The Hidden Nature of Colon Cancer Symptoms
What makes Kennerley’s case stand out? Being very tired was her only sign. She had none of the belly troubles most people think come with colon cancer. Doctors say colon cancer often grows with no clear signs at first. Most people know to watch for blood in their poop or changes in how often they go. Few know that just feeling very tired can be the only warning. This can lead to late finding of the cancer. Health groups say to watch for these common signs:
- Blood when you poop
- Changes in your poop habits that last three weeks or more
- Belly pain or cramps
- Feeling like you can’t empty your bowels fully
- Losing weight when you’re not trying
- Being very tired all the time
Kennerley’s story shows why we must know that being very tired can be a colon cancer symptom, especially when rest doesn’t help you feel better.
An Unexpected Turn for the Worse
After finding out she had cancer, Kennerley had surgery in June 2023. Doctors took out the tumor and part of her large bowel. She then went to the Christie Hospital in Manchester, where she had eight rounds of chemo drugs. In March 2023, more bad news came. At first, doctors thought she had a sick appendix. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that. Scans showed fast-growing tumors on her ovaries. The cancer had spread to the lining of her belly wall.
“While I was there, they did a total hysterectomy,” she explained. “During the surgery, the surgeon looked at my liver and was not happy with how it felt or looked. After the operation, a further MRI scan showed that tumors had grown on my liver.” The cancer had progressed to stage four. Her doctors offered more chemotherapy to try shrinking the tumors but warned it was unlikely to eliminate the cancer. “Unfortunately, because the cancer has now spread to my liver, the NHS cannot offer other treatment except palliative chemo,” she said. “I’ve gone through the mill but my time is running out.“
Prevention and Risk Factors
Bowel cancer most often hits older adults. But cases in younger people are going up. Doctors aren’t sure why. When checking for signs of bowel disease, doctors think about these risk factors:
- Being over 50 years old
- Having had colon cancer or polyps before
- Having bowel diseases that cause swelling
- Having certain gene changes that run in families
- Having close family who had colon cancer
- Eating lots of fat and little fiber
- Not moving your body enough
- Having diabetes
- Being very overweight
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
How can you protect yourself? Get regular checks. It’s the best way to find colon cancer early. As a result, health experts say to start checks at age 45 if you have average risk. Start earlier if you have a higher risk.
Seeking Hope Through New Treatment
Kennerley had few choices left. Normal care couldn’t offer much hope. She looked elsewhere. As a last resort, she found a special chemo treatment in Germany. It costs about £30,000. This new method works differently. It puts chemo drugs right into the blood vessels that feed the tumors. “The results I have had so far show that the tumors have shrunk nicely but I still need further treatment,” she shared. “I have had three rounds so far and I am now out of money.”
Beyond the physical battle, Kennerley speaks openly about the money and feeling costs of her diagnosis. “The mental torment is horrendous, worrying about not working, worrying about how I will fund the treatment. I am on statutory sick pay which runs out at the beginning of April.” This experience changed Kennerley. It made her an advocate. She now fights for better support systems. Late-stage cancer patients need more help. “People with stage four cancer feel totally abandoned. I want to change that, not only for me, but for everyone else going through this.”
The Importance of Listening to Your Body
What can we learn from Kennerley’s story? Pay attention to your body. Colon cancer doesn’t always show up with belly troubles. Being very tired matters when your daily life can’t explain it. Therefore, see a doctor soon. Worried about your risk? Experts have tips. Try these life changes to maybe lower your chance of bowel disease:
- Eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains
- Limit how much alcohol you drink
- Don’t smoke
- Move your body
- Stay at a healthy weight
Don’t ignore odd health changes. This is very important. Finding colon cancer symptoms early saves lives by making outcomes much better. Moreover, the numbers show this clearly. More than 90 out of 100 people with stage one colon cancer live five years or longer after finding out they have it.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
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