TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa man is warning others concerning the signs of rectal most cancers after his prognosis on the age of 35. Alex Mojica mentioned he dismissed signs till he might now not ignore the ache. He drove himself to the emergency room after experiencing belly ache.”I drove myself to the hospital, nearly crying. I might barely even drive there myself, however I made it,” he mentioned.As soon as within the emergency room, he obtained a CT scan and later an MRI. Medical doctors found a mass after which scheduled him for a colonoscopy. Dr. Elizabeth Myers, a colorectal surgeon at St. Joseph’s Hospital, confirmed ABC Motion Information his colonoscopy outcomes. “This is the tumor proper right here, occupying about 75% of the circumference of the wall of the rectum,” mentioned Dr. Myers as she pointed to the imaging. Mojica went by means of radiation and chemotherapy and later wanted surgical procedure to take away the tumor. He has no household in Florida, he mentioned. The docs and nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital was his family and friends. On the similar time, his 43-year-old sister was battling esophageal most cancers and died in February. “I could not be there for my sister as a result of I used to be in my very own battle. Typically I really feel that guilt now that she’s not right here with me,” he mentioned.
St. Joseph’s Hospital
Dr. Myers mentioned she is seeing youthful sufferers recognized with colon and rectal most cancers. She believes weight loss plan is an element.”I feel, largely, we expect it has to do with our weight loss plan and the environment. We at the moment are in an period the place we eat a whole lot of processed meals, processed meats, a whole lot of sugar, preservatives in our meals,” she mentioned.”Particularly, within the Hispanic group, we positively are seeing an increase in youthful Hispanic people, particularly younger Hispanic males, and I feel that is lots to do with the weight loss plan,” mentioned Myers.She urges folks by no means to disregard signs like weight reduction, belly ache, modifications in bowel habits, and seeing blood whereas utilizing the restroom. “It is easy to dismiss these signs and assume, I am younger, and this could not probably be greater than only a hemorrhoid,” mentioned Dr. Myers.Mojica wished to share his story so others by no means lose hope or really feel alone.”You begin therapy, you may’t work. You get sick. Each different week, I am within the hospital. I am dropping pounds. You change into a shell of your self,” mentioned Mojica.”Perhaps in the event that they hear my story and what I went by means of and the way I overcame and nonetheless are overcoming my struggles, perhaps I can provide them somewhat little bit of my energy,” he added. Mojica began a GoFundMe web page. To be taught extra on how you can assist his journey, go to right here.To be taught extra concerning the signs of rectal most cancers, go to right here.