Gastrointestinal surgeon Dr Kartik Sahni cautioned against taking “stomach discomfort” lightly, as he shared the case of a 46-year-old “busy” computer engineer who ended up ignoring such “stomach upset” for six months and was eventually diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis (a serious type of cancer which spreads from the sigmoid colon to the liver). “I saw a case today that left me shocked. A 46-year-old male, a computer engineer by profession, had ‘stomach upset’ for the past six months. Only discomfort, no bleeding, no bowel change. Nothing. No pain. Which is why he started ignoring. Antacids, over-the-counter drugs, home remedies. Busy life. Time nahi milta doctor (I don’t get time). Ultrasound happened. Multiple liver PETs. Sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis. No pain. Cancer apna kaam silently karta raha,” Dr Sahni said in a post on Instagram.. Appealing to people not to ignore symptoms, or even minor discomfort that has persisted for a while, Dr Sahni said, “Please stomach issues ko normal mat samjho (don’t consider stomach issues as normal). Ignoring for six months, which could have been diagnosed in six days, is the ultimate difference between life and death.”. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. Dr Anil Heroor, director of oncological sciences at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, reiterated that “unfortunately, it is more common than people realise”. “Cancers of the colon, especially on the left side like the sigmoid colon, can grow quietly for months or even years. Early symptoms are often vague: mild bloating, discomfort, acidity, or a feeling that digestion isn’t quite right. Since there is no dramatic pain or bleeding at first, people tend to ignore these signs,” said Dr Heroor.. According to Dr Heroor, colon cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in people in their 40s and even 30s. “Sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, obesity, smoking, and chronic stress are contributing factors. Age should never be a reason to dismiss symptoms,” asserted Dr Heroor.. Cancer does not announce itself loudly in the early stages, Dr Heroor noted. “It often whispers. By the time strong symptoms appear, the disease may already be advanced. In this case, the lack of red flags like bleeding or weight loss gave a false sense of reassurance while the cancer continued to progress silently.”. Here’s what you should consider (Photo: AI-generated). Can routine medicines like antacids mask serious conditions?. Story continues below this ad. According to Dr Heroor, over-the-counter medications can temporarily ease symptoms, which delays medical evaluation. “If digestive complaints last more than a few weeks despite treatment, they should not be overlooked. Symptom relief does not always mean the underlying problem has been resolved.”. At what point shoul
