Tess, a 33-year-old TikToker from Sydney, shared her experience with stage 4 colon cancer to raise awareness about early detection. She urged others to take symptoms seriously, emphasizing that early diagnosis is the best “cure” for cancer. She described experiencing “extreme stomach cramping,” which worsened over 10 months until she was “on the floor in the fetal position.” Initially mild, the pain became unbearable, resembling endometriosis-like discomfort in her lower abdomen.

Blood tests showed fluctuating anemia and consistently low iron levels. Tess noted, “I had always kind of had low iron, so this wasn’t really something that was too worrisome.” However, these signs were later linked to her cancer. Another warning sign was “blood in stool or on paper,” which she stressed is “never normal and should always be investigated.” She also mentioned changes in bowel habits, including constipation or thin stools, which could indicate a blockage.
Doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as post-partum issues, but further testing revealed colon cancer that had spread to her liver. After a complex surgery, all cancer was removed, and Tess now has a 50% chance of remaining cancer-free. She urged others to “check with healthcare professionals” if they notice similar symptoms.