A Surprising Diagnosis

Bailey McBreen, a 25-year-old woman from Florida, recently shared her story of how continuous burping turned out to be a symptom of something much more serious. In 2021, Bailey started experiencing frequent burping, sometimes up to 10 times a day.

Initially, she didn’t think much of it and dismissed it as a minor issue. But when the burping escalated to acid reflux and severe stomach cramps, she knew it was time to seek medical help.

The Shocking Revelation

After visiting the doctor, Bailey received a devastating diagnosis – stage 3 colon cancer. It was a massive shock for her and her family. Reflecting on her experience, Bailey said, “The first sign something was wrong – although I didn’t know it at the time – was when I began excessively burping. I would burp 5-10 times a day. This was not normal for me.”

Trusting Her Instincts

As her health rapidly declined, Bailey started experiencing excruciating pain, a loss of appetite, and difficulty with bowel movements. Being a nurse, she trusted her instincts and recognized that there might be an obstruction in her digestive system. Without wasting any time, she rushed to the hospital for further examination. A CT scan confirmed her suspicions – she had stage 3 colon cancer with a tumor obstructing her large intestine.

“I never thought it could be linked to such a horrible disease,” Bailey said. “It truly was an out-of-body experience. I remember the first thing I could say was, ‘I am not ready to die.’ Never in a million years did I think that any vague symptom I had was actually stage 3 colon cancer.”

The Connection to GERD

Bailey believes that her continuous burping was linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which developed about a month after she noticed the burping. “Excessive burping isn’t your textbook sign of colon cancer, but my oncologist told me that it was likely the start of my symptoms,” she explained. “GERD was a symptom in my case because my tumor was slowly causing a complete bowel obstruction.”

Spreading Awareness

After her diagnosis, Bailey underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor and is currently undergoing chemotherapy until the end of August. She emphasizes the importance of listening to our bodies and not ignoring any suspicious symptoms. It’s worth noting that colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, following lung and breast cancers.

If you notice any unusual changes in your body, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Early detection can save lives.