We all experience minor symptoms from time to time and often consider them insignificant. But what if these seemingly harmless signs could actually be a red flag for something life-threatening? Bailey McBreen, a young nurse from Florida, discovered this the hard way. Her persistent burping turned out to be a shocking indication of late-stage colon cancer.
At just 25 years old in 2021, McBreen started experiencing frequent burping, happening up to 10 times a day. Initially, she dismissed it as a minor issue. However, as the burping progressed to acid reflux and severe stomach cramps, she grew concerned. Seeking medical attention was a turning point for Bailey and her family when she received the staggering diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer.
“I began excessively burping, around 5-10 times a day. This was not normal for me,” McBreen reflected on the initial sign that something was wrong. As her health rapidly deteriorated, she suffered excruciating pain, a loss of appetite, and difficulties with bowel movements. Trusting her instincts as a nurse, McBreen turned to the hospital for answers. A CT scan revealed a tumor obstructing her large intestine, confirming the stage 3 colon cancer.
“It truly was an out-of-body experience. I remember the first thing I could say was, ‘I am not ready to die,’” McBreen expressed her astonishment at the diagnosis. “Never in a million years did I think that any vague symptom I had was actually stage 3 colon cancer.” McBreen believes that her nonstop burping was linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which developed a month after she noticed the excessive burping.
“Excessive burping isn’t typically associated with colon cancer, but my oncologist informed me that it was likely the start of my symptoms,” McBreen shared. “GERD was a significant manifestation in my case because my tumor was gradually causing a complete bowel obstruction.” Recognizing the importance of awareness, she now encourages others to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice if something feels off.
McBreen underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor after her diagnosis. Currently, she is undergoing chemotherapy until the end of August. By sharing her story, she hopes to bring attention to colon cancer, which is the third most common cancer worldwide, after lung and breast cancers.
This shocking revelation serves as a reminder that we should never ignore persistent symptoms, especially if they deviate from our normal health. Your body has a way of telling you when something isn’t right. Trust your instincts, seek medical advice, and be aware of the signs that something deeper may be going on. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Stay proactive and prioritize your health.
