Introduction

A 34-year-old man, Joe Faratzis, is bravely sharing his story after being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, a journey that started when he was just 28 years old. Now six years into his battle, Faratzis is utilizing platforms like TikTok to raise awareness about early symptoms often overlooked by many.

Colorectal Cancer Statistics

In 2021 alone, over 141,000 colorectal cancer cases were reported in the United States, leading to nearly 53,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these cases, like Faratzis’s, might have been prevented had individuals listened closely to their bodies.

Onset of Symptoms

In a candid interview with Self, Faratzis spoke about the onset of his symptoms back in 2019. He experienced a mild abdominal pain, particularly when bending over—an ache that he dismissed as trivial and easy to ignore. "It was a dull pain in the bottom right side of my abdomen, infrequent and not debilitating. I shrugged it off, thinking it didn't warrant medical attention," he recalled.

Ignoring Medical Advice

Following a doctor's appointment, Faratzis was advised to undergo a CT scan. However, he opted out, thinking it unnecessary and too costly. This decision would haunt him in the months to come.

Deteriorating Condition

As time passed, he began noticing bright red spots of blood on toilet paper. Again, he rationalized it as a minor issue, perhaps a hemorrhoid, convinced that as a healthy 28-year-old man, he was invincible—"I didn’t want to run to the doctor for an embarrassing digital rectal exam."

It wasn't until he observed a disturbing amount of blood while passing gas that he realized something was terribly wrong. Despite seeking help, initial blood tests failed to indicate severe concerns, which delayed further investigation.

Cancer Diagnosis

Eventually, a colonoscopy revealed the devastating truth: a large cancerous tumor had formed in his colon. Reflecting on this moment, he stated, "It was a crushing diagnosis, but thankfully it hadn’t spread beyond my colon initially. I was categorized as stage II and began an aggressive treatment plan including chemotherapy and radiation."

Metastasis and Ongoing Treatment

However, just when it seemed things were improving, Faratzis faced another hurdle—a diagnosis confirming that the cancer had metastasized to his lungs and liver. He described his ongoing treatment journey: "The cycle of scans every three months feels endless, but fortunately, I’ve had a year with clear scans. It’s the longest I’ve gone without any lesions, and I’m focusing on leading a fulfilling life."

Be Your Own Advocate

Today, Faratzis is committed to being an advocate for his own health, reminding others to take any red flags seriously. "I often think about my choices during those early appointments. It’s a mental battle now—every day is a gift," he admits.

Conclusion

His powerful message? "Listen to your body. Don’t let embarrassment or fear override your health concerns. Be your own healthcare advocate because you are your best ally in this fight." His experience serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of early detection in battling cancer.