Bailey McBreen, a 25-year-old nurse from Tampa, Florida, was stunned when her frequent burping turned out to be a symptom of stage 3 colon cancer. “I never thought it could be linked to such a horrible disease,” she said. McBreen initially dismissed the burping, which started in 2021, but by February 2022, she experienced acid reflux and declining health. After enduring excruciating pain, she sought medical help and was diagnosed with a tumor obstructing her large intestine.

“I am not ready to die,” McBreen recalled upon hearing her diagnosis. “Never in a million years did I think that any vague symptom I had was actually stage 3 colon cancer.”

McBreen’s case highlights the importance of paying attention to unusual bodily changes. Her oncologist suggested that the burping might have signaled the beginning of her symptoms. Despite being young, McBreen’s experience underscores the rising trend of colon cancer in younger adults.

Colon cancer, the third most common cancer globally, often shows symptoms only after spreading. Early screenings are crucial, especially for those over 45, and individuals with symptoms should seek medical evaluation promptly. As McBreen emphasizes, “Anything that is new to you…needs to be addressed.”