The speaker recounts their experience with discovering they had bowel cancer. They were previously very fit, but during the pandemic, they took a break from training and started experiencing extreme fatigue. They also felt a lump in their groin area, which led them to visit a doctor. After several tests, including an ultrasound and colonoscopy, they were diagnosed with cancer in the final part of their intestine, close to the rectum. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread to other organs. The speaker credits their doctor with being supportive and helping them through the process. They also mention that if they hadn't done the colonoscopy, they might not have discovered the cancer, and if they hadn't had a lump in their groin, they might not have gotten checked.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker had bowel cancer.
2. The cancer was located at the end of the bowel.
3. The speaker had a history of constipation since they were two years old.
4. They had a lavage due to their constipation.
5. The speaker's bowel doesn't work every day, sometimes taking three days to go to the bathroom.
6. They experienced a lump in their groin area, which they described as a "tongue".
7. The lump was 4 cm in size and caused pain.
8. The speaker went to see a gynecologist, who suggested an ultrasound and a colonoscopy.
9. The colonoscopy revealed that the speaker had cancer.
10. The speaker was 46 years old when they had the colonoscopy, which is recommended to be done at 45 years old.
11. The cancer was contained in the final intestine, close to the rectum.
12. The cancer had been in the speaker's body for a year before it was discovered.
13. The speaker's doctor ordered a PET scan and an MRI to check for metastases in the body.
14. The PET scan showed that the cancer was contained in one place and had not spread to other organs.
15. The speaker's doctor, Fernando Maluf, was an oncologist who helped them through their treatment.