A woman has shared the four early signs of bowel cancer she experienced prior to her diagnosis and urges others to ‘not be like her’. Ellie Wilcock, who is a stage 4 bowel cancer survivor, shared her health advice on TikTok to raise awareness. In a recent clip, she listed the symptoms that led to her diagnosis.
Ellie described the first sign as pain in the left side of her tummy and pelvis, initially mistaken for a urinary infection. The second symptom she noticed was fatigue, affecting her daily routine. The third sign, she revealed, was a change in bowel habits and blood in her stool, a warning she overlooked.
Encouraging vigilance, Ellie stressed the importance of monitoring bowel health to detect cancer early. Lastly, she mentioned a decreased appetite and unexplained weight loss as her fourth sign. Reflecting on her journey, she wished she had paid more attention to these warning signals.
Additionally, Ellie shared details of her cancer diagnosis and treatment in a separate video. She recounted being informed of her stage 4 bowel cancer on Valentine’s Day 2022. Following a 10-hour surgery, she underwent procedures to remove cancerous tissues and ultimately achieved a clean bill of health.
By sharing her experience, Ellie aims to educate others on recognising potential signs of bowel cancer early. Her story underscores the importance of being proactive about health concerns to facilitate timely intervention and treatment.