A young woman struck down with stage three bowel cancer at just 24 has issued a stark warning to others after revealing the three key symptoms she initially brushed off as minor. Paige Seifert, an engineer from Denver, Colorado, is now 25 and cancer-free but only after months of grueling treatment that began when doctors discovered the disease had already reached an advanced stage.

Her story comes amid growing concern about the rise of bowel cancer in people under 50, a demographic once thought to be largely unaffected by the disease.

Early Symptoms That Were Dismissed

Paige first noticed three key warning signs: blood in her stool, persistent stomach pain, and unexplained fatigue. At the time, she assumed the bleeding was caused by haemorrhoids a common and usually harmless condition. Her doctor agreed and reassured her that cancer was extremely unlikely given her age.

“I went to the doctor, who said I was too young for it to be cancer and thought it was haemorrhoids,” Paige recalled.

The stomach pain she experienced was sporadic but persistent enough to feel concerning. Sometimes it came with cramping or nausea, but Paige attributed it to her active lifestyle and occasional dietary issues. The fatigue, meanwhile, was easy to dismiss as stress or a busy schedule.

“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,” she said.

The Turning Point: Colonoscopy and Diagnosis

By January 2025, Paige decided to consult a gastroenterologist “just to be safe.” She agreed to undergo a colonoscopy, a procedure in which a camera examines the inside of the bowel. What the doctor discovered changed her life.

“As soon as he went in, he saw the tumour and knew it was cancer. I woke up from the procedure, and he came to tell me it was ‘undoubtedly cancer.’ My heart dropped. I initially thought, whatever is going on, at least it’s not cancer. But it was the worst-case scenario.”

Further tests revealed the cancer was stage three, meaning it had spread beyond the bowel into nearby lymph nodes. At this stage, treatment becomes more challenging, and survival rates drop significantly. Stage one bowel cancer has a five-year survival rate of around 90%, while stage three falls to approximately 65%. If the disease progresses to stage four, where it spreads to distant organs, survival rates plummet to around 10%.

Treatment: Chemotherapy and Surgery

Following her diagnosis, Paige underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy that left her physically and emotionally exhausted. The treatment was followed by major surgery to remove the tumour and affected sections of her bowel. While the process was grueling, it ultimately saved her life, and she is now in remission.

Why Symptoms Are Often Ignored in Young People

Doctors explain that symptoms like those Paige experienced—rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and fatigue—are frequently overlooked in younger patients. Blood in the stool may occur when a tumour bleeds slowly over time, abdominal pain can result from partial blockages, and fatigue is often caused by anaemia, a reduction in red blood cells due to chronic blood loss.

“Bowel obstruction can lead to severe pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting,” warns Bowel Cancer UK. “Sudden or intense symptoms should prompt urgent medical attention.”

Macmillan Cancer Support also notes that fatigue can be driven by the disease itself, which disrupts the body’s cytokine levels and causes systemic inflammation.

Sharing Her Story to Save Lives

Paige has taken to social media, including TikTok, to encourage others to get checked if they notice unusual symptoms. In a viral video, she outlined the signs she initially ignored and urged viewers not to dismiss them because of their age.

“I don’t want to scare people. But I do want people to listen to their bodies. Being young does not make you immune,” she said.

Her warning is especially relevant given that bowel cancer is rising among people under 50. In the UK alone, around 42,000 people are diagnosed each year, with more than 17,000 deaths annually. Unlike older adults, younger patients often rely on symptom awareness rather than routine screening to catch the disease early.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

In addition to bleeding, abdominal pain, and fatigue, bowel cancer can present with:

• Changes in bowel habits, including constipation or diarrhea

• Pencil-thin stools, which may indicate a narrowing of the bowel

• Feeling the urge to pass stool even after using the toilet

• Unexplained weight loss or shortness of breath

Doctors stress that persistent or combined symptoms should never be ignored, regardless of age.

Rising Cases Among Younger Adults

Soaring Bowel Cancer Rates in Under-50s

Annual % increase in cases among adults aged 25–49 (by country)

Experts remain uncertain why bowel cancer is increasing among younger adults, though several factors have been suggested:

• Childhood exposure to E. coli bacteria

• Accelerated aging linked to modern lifestyles

• Chemicals in food packaging, additives, and microplastics

• Diets high in ultra-processed foods

• Possible links to certain seed oils, though this remains controversial

Research is ongoing, and no single cause has been confirmed.

Remembering Dame Deborah James

The rise in bowel cancer among younger adults has already claimed high-profile lives. Dame Deborah James, a cancer awareness campaigner, died in 2022 at age 40. She had raised over £11.3 million for cancer research and transformed public awareness of the disease.

A Powerful Message

Looking back, Paige says she wishes she had taken her symptoms more seriously sooner. Her experience highlights a crucial lesson: no symptom is too small to question, and no one is too young to take their health seriously.

“If sharing my story helps even one person get checked earlier, then it’s worth it,” she said.

Her advice is simple but life-saving: trust your instincts, push for medical advice, and never ignore changes in your body.