You should never ignore changes to your body, even when they seem insignificant. Maybe you've had a pain that's persisted for some time, or you've realised you're feeling more exhausted than normal.

In most cases, these alterations are nothing to be concerned about. However, it's vital to understand that even the most "ordinary" variations in your wellbeing could indicate something far more severe. One woman on TikTok has revealed she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer aged just 24, and confessed she originally dismissed her symptoms as they didn't appear to be anything significant.

Paige Seifert, from the US, has been documenting her journey with colon cancer - which in the UK is often grouped with other types of cancer and spoken about as bowel cancer - online to urge others to get themselves examined.

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She highlighted three of the symptoms that prompted her to seek medical attention, despite initially ignoring them.

1. Fatigue

Fatigue can indicate numerous different conditions. More commonly, it stems from straightforward causes such as insufficient sleep or pushing yourself too hard during exercise.

But fatigue can also result from underlying conditions – including vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and even cancer. If you've been experiencing fatigue for an extended period, you should consult a doctor.

Paige commented: "I know this can be chalked up to a bunch of different things, whether it's work, lack of sleep, or exercise, but this, combined with all the rest, was a big indicator for me."

2. Stomach pain or discomfort

You might assume your digestive issues are simply down to consuming a heavy evening meal or eating something that hasn't sat well with you. However, according to Paige, her abdominal discomfort played a major role in her colon cancer diagnosis.

She said: "For me, it was super sporadic. I didn't have it all the time, but when I did, it just felt like something was off. Whether it was nausea or stomach pains and stomach cramping."

3. Blood in stool

Discovering blood in your stool when using the toilet is among the most significant warning signs of colon cancer. Nevertheless, it doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer, as it can also result from haemorrhoids or a fissure. Some women might also notice blood when wiping if they're menstruating.

However, the NHS advises you should consult a doctor if you've had blood in your stool for three weeks, or if you're experiencing severe pain around your bottom.

Paige revealed: "Blood in your stool is a huge one and is obviously going to tip you off that something is wrong. But I know it can be written off as a bunch of other things, like haemorrhoids, and that's what I wrote it off as. That's what the three doctors I first saw wrote it off as.

"But this, along with the other things I was experiencing, was a definite indicator that something was wrong. Hence why I kept going to the doctor and pushing for more diagnostic testing."

In a recent video, Paige shared some promising news that she may be starting to beat her cancer diagnosis. She said she has regular check-ups to monitor her tumour every few months, and while her last one showed she had a blood clot on her heart and a node on her ovary, there was crucially "no colon cancer".

She said: "I'm feeling super hopeful, but there's always that part of you that's going to worry that something is amiss. Whether it be where the cancer was originally, or a different spot."

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the UK. It's crucial to recognise the symptoms, as bowel cancer screening can detect the cancer early, which may make it easier to treat.

The most common symptoms include:

• Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you


• Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you


• Blood in your poo, which may look red or black


• Bleeding from your bottom


• Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet


• Tummy pain


• A lump in your tummy


• Bloating


• Losing weight without trying


• Feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer

When to see a GP

You should consult a GP if you have experienced any of the symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more. The NHS advises that if your poo is black or dark red, or if you have bloody diarrhoea, you should dial 111 for an urgent appointment.

However, if you're bleeding continuously from your bottom or there's a significant amount of blood when you go to the loo, you must head to A&E or call 999 for immediate assistance.

You can find out more information on the NHS website.