When Joe Faratzis, now 34, was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at just 28 years old, it was a life-altering shock. Reflecting on his journey, he shares the six warning signs he ignored—symptoms that, if addressed earlier, might have prevented his advanced diagnosis. His story underscores the critical importance of early detection and listening to your body.
### The Overlooked Symptoms
Faratzis, a TMZ producer, admits he dismissed his symptoms for months, attributing them to minor health issues. His ordeal began in 2019, but it wasn’t until he finally underwent a colonoscopy that the devastating truth came to light. Now, he’s on a mission to raise awareness about the importance of early screenings and recognizing the warning signs of cancer.
1. **Night Sweats and Excessive Sweating**
Dr. Cathy Eng, a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, notes that symptoms like night sweats, fatigue, chronic anemia, and weight loss can signal advanced colon cancer. Faratzis experienced night sweats but brushed them off as insignificant.
2. **Pain in the Lower Right Abdomen**
Pain in this area can indicate issues with the ascending colon, as explained by Healthline. Faratzis felt this pain early on but didn’t connect it to a serious condition, delaying medical consultation.
3. **Increased Bathroom Visits**
Faratzis noticed he was using the bathroom far more frequently than usual. While this was out of the ordinary for him, he didn’t recognize it as a potential red flag for colorectal cancer.
4. **Abdominal Cramps When Bending Over**
Every time he bent over, Faratzis experienced sharp abdominal cramps. He dismissed this discomfort as a minor issue, not realizing it was a significant warning sign.
5. **Constipation and Abdominal Cramps**
According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, constipation paired with abdominal cramps is a common symptom of colorectal cancer. Faratzis experienced both but delayed seeking help, underestimating the severity of his condition.
6. **Blood in Stool**
The most alarming symptom was blood in his stool, which Faratzis initially attributed to hemorrhoids. It wasn’t until he noticed a substantial amount of blood that he sought medical attention. He now describes this as the turning point that pushed him to take his symptoms seriously.
### The Road to Recovery
Following his diagnosis, Faratzis underwent aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and procedures to address cancerous lesions on his liver and lungs. These interventions led to significant improvements in his health. By 2023, he celebrated his first clear CT scan, and in April 2024, he marked one year of clear scans—a milestone that has given him renewed hope.
### A Call for Early Action
Faratzis deeply regrets not seeking medical help sooner. He believes that addressing his symptoms in 2019 could have prevented his advanced diagnosis. Today, he is a vocal advocate for early screenings, emphasizing that "early detection could save your life.” His story is a powerful reminder to take persistent, unusual symptoms seriously and act on them without delay.
Faratzis’ experience is a cautionary tale for everyone. Recognizing the warning signs of cancer and seeking prompt medical attention can make all the difference. His message is clear: don’t ignore your body’s signals—it could save your life.
