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.
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.
One symptom he experienced was 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 brushed off the night sweats as something insignificant. Another sign was lower right abdominal pain, which can point to issues with the ascending colon. Faratzis noticed this pain early on but dismissed it instead of seeking medical advice.
Faratzis also had frequent bathroom trips, going multiple times a day, which was unusual for him, but he didn’t recognize it as a potential symptom of colorectal cancer. He also experienced abdominal cramps when bending over, a discomfort he thought was minor, but looking back, he now realizes it was a key indicator of something more serious.
Another common symptom of colorectal cancer is constipation along with cramps. Faratzis had both but delayed taking action, thinking it wasn’t serious. The most alarming symptom was blood in his stool, which Faratzis initially attributed to hemorrhoids. It wasn’t until he noticed a significant amount of blood in the toilet that he finally sought medical attention. He called this the “big catalyst” that motivated him to take his symptoms seriously.
After his diagnosis, Faratzis underwent intensive treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and operations to address cancerous lesions on his liver and lungs. Thanks to these treatments, his health improved, and by 2023, he celebrated his first clear CT scan. In April 2024, he marked one year of clear scans, a milestone that has given him hope for the future.
Faratzis regrets not seeking medical attention earlier, believing that if he had acted on his earliest symptoms in 2019, his diagnosis could have been less advanced. Now, he is a passionate advocate for early screenings, emphasizing that “early detection could save your life.” His message urges everyone to recognize the warning signs of cancer and act on them without delay. Faratzis’ story is a reminder that knowing and acting on the warning signs can make a life-saving difference.
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