A woman has opened up about how she realized she had colon cancer, and how other people can spot the symptoms.
Radwah Oda, a Houston resident, detailed her experience in a TikTok video that has gained over 2.3 million views.
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In the post, Oda outlined five critical symptoms she initially dismissed and urged others to take action if they notice similar signs.
“If you have any of these symptoms, please don’t be concerned, but go see a doctor. Advocate for yourself,” she advised viewers.
Subtle Changes in Bowel MovementsOda’s journey began with an unexpected change in her stool, which became thin and pencil-like every time she used the restroom.
“My excuse at the time was that it must be constipation,” she explained.
Experts note that while occasional narrow stools may not be alarming, persistent changes in stool shape — particularly flat or ribbon-like stools — can indicate narrowing or obstruction in the colon, a potential sign of colorectal cancer.
Another warning sign Oda overlooked was blood in her stool, which she attributed to hemorrhoids.
Though blood in stool can stem from less serious issues, medical experts emphasize that it remains a hallmark symptom of colon cancer and should never be dismissed.
Research published in 2024 identified blood in stool as one of the top two “red flag” symptoms for early-onset colorectal cancer, particularly in younger patients.
Persistent Urge to DefecateOda described feeling as though her bowel wasn’t fully empty, even after frequent trips to the bathroom.
“Each time I would use the restroom, I would feel like I still needed to go,” she shared. “I would keep pushing and pushing but nothing would come out.”
This symptom, known as tenesmus, can be caused by a tumor in the rectum or lower colon, which may irritate nerves in the rectal wall and send false signals to the brain.
Abdominal discomfort is a common symptom of colon cancer, but Oda experienced unexplained pain in her lower right side near her breast.
“I just assumed my bra was too tight, even though it was just on one side,” she recalled.
This pain later turned out to signal metastasis, as the cancer had spread to her liver.
Oda also endured severe fatigue.
“I had extreme chronic fatigue regardless of how many hours of sleep I slept at night,” she said. “I would still need to take a nap a few times during the day and nothing really helped.”
Initially dismissing it as a side effect of working from home during the pandemic, she later learned the fatigue was linked to her cancer.
Colon cancer can cause exhaustion through blood loss from polyps or tumors, potentially leading to iron-deficiency anemia.
Since her diagnosis on August 16, 2021, Oda has used her TikTok platform to raise awareness about colorectal cancer.
In a separate video, she listed additional symptoms she experienced in the two weeks leading up to her diagnosis, including sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, and constant stomach pains.
Until just an hour before receiving her diagnosis, Oda believed her symptoms were due to a “really bad stomach bug.”