Doctor shares five red flag signs of bowel cancer as influencer Tanner Martin raised awareness before death

A doctor has revealed five warning signs of bowel cancer that you should look out for following the tragic passing of Tanner Martin.

Tanner Martin. Credit: The Washington Post / Getty

Tanner Martin, 30, who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at just 25, issued a raw, pre-recorded video on Instagram through his wife Shay Wright, announcing his death.

“Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead,” he began with a gentle smile.

“I had a heck of a life. I decided to make this video announcing my death because I saw someone did that, like, a year or so ago, and I think it’s a good opportunity to get all your thoughts out,” he continued.

Tanner went on: "But you guys, life was awesome. I really enjoyed it while I was here. Hopefully, I believe there’s something after this. I’m excited to meet those people, and hopefully we’re hanging out now and making fun of all you nerds.

“There’s just a lot of people that for the afterlife, I’m excited to see them, and excited to see them not in pain and just happy.

“I don’t know. I’m like, death is scary, but it’s also like a new adventure, you know. I’m excited to see what the experience is like, and hopefully it’s good.

“Thank you for the support and helping to make the last years of my life here on earth like fun and enjoyable and helping me be comfortable,” he concluded.

Tanner, who first experienced symptoms in 2020, initially mistook them for stomach aches before a colonoscopy revealed advanced cancer.

A review of World Health Organization data by the American Cancer Society found rising rates of bowel cancer in people under 50 across 27 countries, including regions in Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.

In the UK, Cancer Research statistics reveal that one in 20 bowel cancer cases now occurs in people under 50.

Tanner welcomed a baby in May. Credit: GoFundMe

Concerned by this trend, Dr. Zion, known as @dr.zionko on TikTok, shared five key symptoms young adults should never ignore.

“As a doctor and someone with HNPCC [hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer], this is personal. Colon cancer doesn't just happen to 'old people' - rates are rising in young adults and we've seen it first-hand how early detection saves lives,” she said.

The five key symptoms Dr. Zion highlighted are:

Change in bowel habits

“People should visit their GP if they notice a change in their usual bowel habits,” Dr. Zion explained, including persistent changes in size, color, consistency, or frequency.

Iron deficiency

Dr. Zion warned that unexplained iron deficiency could be a red flag, especially if you experience fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations.

Blood in your poo

“You should book an appointment to visit a doctor as soon as possible if you notice blood in your poo. It doesn't matter whether it's bright red or dark black blood,” she urged.

Unintentional weight loss

While not unique to bowel cancer, unexplained weight loss should never be ignored, with Dr. Zion noting that many “unknown issues” begin with this symptom.

Abdominal pain

“Whether it's a dull throb or a sharp shooting pain, you should visit a doctor to discover the cause,” she advised.

“[The] takeaway is don’t be afraid to look at your poop, talk about your poop, and ask questions because we all poop. If something feels off to you, don’t wait.

"Screening, especially if you have family history, can be the difference of catching the cancer early vs. too late,” Dr. Zion concluded.

Featured image credit: tannerandsh / Instagram