Latest news with #MattEamer
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘I thought my stomach pain was BBQ indigestion…': 39-year-old British man missed stage 4 bowel cancer symptoms; know early signs and causes
Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a major global health concern, affecting thousands of people each year. Often, early warning signs are subtle and easily overlooked, which can delay diagnosis and reduce treatment effectiveness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Examine the journey of a 39-year-old British man diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, shedding light on the symptoms he initially missed, including abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and fatigue. It also explores key risk factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, and pre-existing conditions, alongside practical prevention strategies like a fiber-rich diet, regular exercise, weight management, and routine screening. Bowel cancer can develop at any age, including in individuals in their 30s. Recognising early symptoms, understanding risk factors, and taking preventive steps—including a healthy lifestyle and regular screening—are essential for reducing risk and improving outcomes. Abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, fatigue, and rectal bleeding should never be ignored, as early detection is the most powerful tool against this disease. 39-year-old's sudden stomach pain diagnosed with hidden bowel cancer risk In September 2020, a 39-year-old British man Matt Eamer, began experiencing sharp, escalating abdominal pain over just two weeks. Initially, the discomfort was dismissed as digestive upset after a family barbecue. Early signs of bowel cancer are often subtle, and in this case, no long-term symptoms were present before the sudden pain. The pain intensified to the point where he went to A&E. A CT scan revealed a blockage in the large intestine, prompting an emergency operation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During surgery, the primary tumour was removed. Subsequent scans revealed liver metastases, advancing his diagnosis to stage 4 bowel cancer. Genetic testing identified the BRAF V600E mutation, indicating a fast-growing tumour. Intensive chemotherapy followed, transitioning later to targeted therapy with Cetuximab and Encorafenib, which proved easier to tolerate. Source: Birmingham Live Symptoms missed by him in diagnosing bowel cancer Many early symptoms of bowel cancer are overlooked. In this case, the British man did not initially recognise: Abdominal pain and cramping : Frequently misattributed to food or digestive issues. : Frequently misattributed to food or digestive issues. Changes in bowel habits: Persistent constipation, diarrhea, or alternating bowel patterns. Unexplained fatigue: Extreme tiredness unrelated to lifestyle or sleep. Bloating and digestive discomfort: Easily dismissed as minor stomach issues. Rectal bleeding or blood in stool: A critical warning sign that was not observed in this case but is common in others. Early recognition of these signs is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment. Understanding bowel cancer Bowel cancer develops in the colon or rectum, often beginning as small polyps that can turn cancerous over time. Key facts about bowel cancer: It is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While typically diagnosed in individuals over 50, younger adults, including those in their 30s, are increasingly affected. Risk factors include genetics, lifestyle habits, and pre-existing medical conditions. Treatment often involves surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies, especially in advanced stages. Bowel cancer: Causes and risk factors Bowel cancer arises due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Major contributors include: Genetics and family history: A history of bowel cancer or hereditary syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome, increases risk. Dietary habits: High consumption of red and processed meats and low fiber intake contribute to increased susceptibility. Lifestyle choices: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyles raise risk. Obesity: Overweight individuals have higher chances of developing colorectal cancer. Medical conditions: Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are linked to higher risk. Understanding these factors enables individuals to take preventive measures early. Bowel cancer prevention tips Source: Birmingham Live Although not all cases are preventable, lifestyle adjustments and regular screenings can significantly reduce risk: Consume a fibre-rich diet: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes support healthy digestion and bowel function. Limit red and processed meats: Choose lean protein sources like fish, poultry, or plant-based alternatives. Stay physically active: Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and supports overall digestive health. Maintain a healthy weight: Even modest weight loss can lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Reducing alcohol intake and quitting tobacco use decreases cancer risk. Regular screening and check-ups: Colonoscopies and other screening methods detect polyps early, preventing progression to cancer. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you experience persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or other concerning symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare professional promptly. Early detection and medical guidance are crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Father-of-two, 39, thought stomach pain was from 'dodgy sausage' at BBQ... but it was colon cancer - doctors gave him 'months to live'
The first sign something was wrong for Matt Eamer came just days after a family barbeque, celebrating his son's second birthday. The then 39-year-old father-of-two from Redhill, Surrey, dismissed the sudden 'spiky' stomach pain as food poisoning. 'I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage,' he said. But his pain escalated quickly. After a rushed trip to A&E he was sent home with anti-nausea medication Buscopan, yet still felt dreadful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital where scans revealed a 'big blockage' in his large intestine. Surgeons removed two-thirds of his bowel in an emergency op. 'A few days later they confirmed it was cancer,' Matt said. The diagnosis was stage four bowel cancer. The disease had already spread to his liver and the lining of his abdomen, and further tests revealed a rare BRAF mutation which drives tumours to grow at speed. 'I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said, "the plan for your diagnosis has changed… we're talking months not years from a survival point of view",' Matt recalled of the events in September 2020. On his 40th birthday he was told standard chemotherapy had failed and surgeons found the cancer had advanced further. 'It was a very dramatic, movie-like point,' he said. 'It was a pivotal change. They said, "we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs." My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor.' Matt began fortnightly Cetuximab infusions combined with four daily Encorafenib pills, new immunotherapy drugs approved just months earlier. Designed to buy only 'three to six months', they had a remarkable effect. Within six months, scans showed no trace of cancer. Five years on, he is still clear and continues treatment. 'Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity,' he said. 'You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time.' In December 2024, he underwent a 14-hour surgery to remove cancerous tissue in his ribcage, followed by heated HIPEC chemotherapy. The disease had already spread to his liver and the lining of his abdomen, and further tests revealed a rare BRAF mutation which drives tumours to grow at speed. Again, scans showed 'things clear.' Matt, who runs his own design agency, continues working and raising his two children. 'The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and live longer, better lives even if it is stage four,' he said. He adds: 'The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. I spend more time looking at my kids' faces, taking them to a show or swimming in the sea — they are heightened. 'It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened.' To mark five years since his diagnosis, Matt will join Sir Chris Hoy's charity cycle in Glasgow on September 7, raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. 'It's marking a milestone in a meaningful, positive way,' he said. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is one of the most common cancers in both Britain and the United States. In the UK around 43,000 people are diagnosed every year, while in the US the figure is more than 150,000. It is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In older age groups incidence is declining thanks to better screening and awareness, yet in younger people rates are rising sharply, a trend baffling doctors. In England cases among those aged 25 to 49 have surged by around 3.6 per cent per year, one of the steepest increases in Europe, while in America rates in under-50s have been rising by about 2.4 per cent annually over the past decade. Outcomes depend heavily on how early the disease is caught. In the UK one-year survival is around 97 per cent if picked up through screening, but just 49 per cent if discovered in an emergency admission, as was the case for Matt. In the US five-year survival is 92 per cent at stage one but only 13 per cent at stage four. Most people with a diagnosis as advanced as Matt's do not reach the five-year mark, making his story unusual. Risk factors include family history, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, alcohol, smoking, and diets low in fibre and high in red or processed meats. Researchers are also examining the role of ultra-processed foods, though evidence remains inconclusive, and some studies point to gut bacteria toxins such as colibactin, found in food poisoning, as a possible trigger for early-onset cases. Screening programmes remain vital. In the US guidelines now recommend testing from age 45, while in the UK stool tests are currently offered from 56, with pilot schemes lowering the age to 50. Symptoms to watch for include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in stools, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or bloating, and lumps in the abdomen. Doctors stress that catching the disease early saves lives. Patients diagnosed at stage one are several times more likely to survive long term than those at stage four. But as Matt's case shows, advances in treatment—from new targeted drugs to more effective surgery—are beginning to change what is possible, even in the most serious cases. For him, the experience has redefined life. 'The reality isn't bucket-list dolphins—it's the bucket and spade things,' he said.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
Dad Matt Eamer was diagnosed with one of the most common cancers in the UK - find out symptoms of the disease to look out for below SHOCK TWIST I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. 6 Matt had been celebrating his son's birthday when he began experiencing stomach pain Credit: SWNS 6 When the pain persisted, doctors discovered a big blockage in his intestine, which turned out to be bowel cancer Credit: SWNS Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Read more on bowel cancer DIET TWEAK The little-known diet mistake putting millions at risk of bowel cancer Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. I'm never going to know what my future really looks like Matt Eamer "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 Matt was told he had months to live because his cancer was stage 4 Credit: SWNS 6 He underwent 14-hour surgery, as well as chemotherapy, before doctors decided to try new drugs to prolong his life Credit: SWNS 6 Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs and six months later scans showed things were clear Credit: SWNS 6 He's now taking part in a charity cycle to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK Credit: SWNS "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
Dad Matt Eamer was diagnosed with one of the most common cancers in the UK - find out symptoms of the disease to look out for below SHOCK TWIST I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Matt had been celebrating his son's birthday when he began experiencing stomach pain Credit: SWNS 6 When the pain persisted, doctors discovered a big blockage in his intestine, which turned out to be bowel cancer Credit: SWNS Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. I'm never going to know what my future really looks like Matt Eamer "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 Matt was told he had months to live because his cancer was stage 4 Credit: SWNS 6 He underwent 14-hour surgery, as well as chemotherapy, before doctors decided to try new drugs to prolong his life Credit: SWNS 6 Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs and six months later scans showed things were clear Credit: SWNS 6 He's now taking part in a charity cycle to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK Credit: SWNS "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. 6 6 Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 6 6 6 "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe. What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
