Cancer can occur just about anywhere in the body, but it often occurs in the colon and intestines.
It is still considered a silent disease because it causes no symptoms in its earliest stages. However, signs can eventually appear.
A patient diagnosed with the condition in her 30s shared the first signs of the disease she experienced before an unfortunate diagnosis of stage 3 rectal cancer.
Taking to social media, Toria wanted to share her story after doctors initially dismissed her symptoms due to her age.
Toria encourages other to listen to their body
TIKTOK / MAMATORIA28
"If I did not advocate for myself and keep pushing, who knows when they would have got me into the colonoscopy," she told viewers.
The mum-of-three explained she had experienced stomach problems throughout her life, with irregular bowel movements being a persistent issue.
"I was never somebody who went to the bathroom every single day," she said.
"I was the type of girl who had a bowel movement maybe once a week on a good week."
She noted that despite others warning this wasn't normal, she had female cousins with similar issues.
The situation deteriorated significantly for Toria when her symptoms became increasingly severe.
"My journey kind of started at the end of June, when my tummy troubles were just getting worse and worse, I hadn't gone to the bathroom in maybe 14+ days," she said.
"I was popping ibuprofen every six hours - I was in so much pain. I am in so much pain all the time, I can't live like this."
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Toria found herself in serious pain before her diagnosis
TIKTOK / MAMATORIA28
A CT scan eventually revealed that Toria's intestines were two inches larger than normal, prompting further medical investigation, but she continued to face challenges in getting proper care.
"I just kept getting passed off to people who didn't want to deal with me," she recalled.
"If this motivates anyone to go and get a colonoscopy then that is a win."
As Toria continues to undergo treatment, she encourages others to be persistent if initial assessments fail to explain concerning symptoms.
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