A father of one who has established a rare form of colon cancer has urged others to reject a little -known embarrassing sign of the disease.
Dave Paxton, from Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire, began to note that his stools were darker in color at the beginning of this year.
But it was only after a pharmacist asked him a routine question when he ordered a repeat prescription in February that he marked the issue.
Asked by the chemist who said: “did you have other worries” after you had asked for anxiety medication, the 38-year-old said he unveiled his stools, which he would never have visited the doctor to discuss.
Refers to the doctor, tests days later showed that he had duodenal cancer – a rare type of colon cancer that forms in the small intestine, called the duodenum.
A CT scan then revealed that he suffered a degree four squamous cell tumor, which means that it had spread to other parts of his body – in particular his liver and pancreas.
A squamous cell tumor of the duodenum, which is developing in the lining of the small intestine, is so rare that Mr Paxton reportedly explains for one of only 22 cases that have been confirmed worldwide to date.
However, doctors cannot give him a prognosis and he is currently undergoing debilitating chemotherapy and radiotherapy to prevent the tumor from growing.
Dave Paxton, from Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire, began to note that his stools were darker in color at the beginning of the year
But it was only after a pharmacist asked him a routine question when he ordered a repeat prescription in February that he marked the issue
Reminding his heartbreaking diagnosis, Mr. Paxton said: ‘This is frightening and the side effects of the treatment are terrible, but I am very grateful to the pharmacist for checking in with me.
“I noticed, but didn’t think much about it.
“The diagnosis was such a shock. The only thing I could think about was my son, I just burst into tears.
“But I also knew that I had to continue. The cancer is so rare that they simply cannot say how long I have, just that they treat me to extend my life.
“One of the nurses was so helpful, he just said,” You can beat this “, go home and put music on, do the things you like, don’t lie down and give up.”
Every year there are around 44,000 cases of colon cancer in the UK and 142,000 in the US, making it the fourth most common cancer in both countries.
But cases rise in young people, an alarming trend that experts have linked to modern diets, chemical exposure and lifestyle.
Symptoms often include changes in intestinal movements such as consistent and new diarrhea or constipation, which need the need to more or less often pot and blood in the stool.
Colon cancer can ensure that you have blood in your shit, a change in intestinal habit or a lump in your intestine that can cause an obstruction. Some people also suffer from weight loss due to these symptoms
In view of the duodenal pavement cell tumors are so rare, there have been no tests for the success of immunotherapy, so Dave cannot get this treatment on his health insurance or the NHS
Stomach pain, a lump in the stomach, a bloated feeling, unexpected weight loss and fatigue include signs.
Everyone who experiences these symptoms must contact their doctor for advice.
Since his diagnosis in March, Mr. Paxton has undergone chemotherapy for two months and has just started radiotherapy.
He also requires blood transfusions every four days.
He has His treatment financed through a private health insurance policy at the workplace.
But given dJeodenal Squamiselcellumors are so rare, there have been no tests for the success of immunotherapy, so he cannot get this treatment on his health insurance or the NHS.
He is currently fundraising of the £ 180,000 needed for 24 sessions. To date, he has picked up £ 43,202 on Gofundme.
Mr Paxton said: ‘It all feels very scary, and it is a constant and tiring battle every day.
She [the doctors] Don’t know how I got it so young, they just said it’s “bad luck”. “
He added: ‘Unless you have experienced something like that, you really do not understand how precious life is.
“I just want as much time as I can get with my family.”
Mr Paxton’s terrible test comes as experts to continue to warn about a disturbing rise in colon cancers in fewer than 50s, who has stunned doctors around the world.
The disease, the third most common cancer in the UK, has killed Dame Deborah James At the age of 40 in 2022.
Although the vast majority of diagnoses influence those older than 50, the speeds in older age groups have decreased or kept stable, while the diagnoses in younger adults have risen by 50 percent for the past 30 years.
Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half (54 percent) of the cases of colon cancer can be prevented in the UK.
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