I was diagnosed with 3 -inch stage cancer in 45 – this is my biggest regret

Most people do not get a blouse to commemorate their colonoscopy-but David Hungerford had an unusual, life-changing experience.

The Long Island financial adviser was diagnosed with 3 -inch phase cancer in October 2023 after passing a routine colonoscopy to 45 years. He joined an unfortunate club with a growing membership – people under 50 with colorectal cancer.

“I was shocked,” Hungerford recalled, now 47, in the post.

St. James’ resident had no symptoms and no family history of colon cancer – he had simply received a colonoscopy because the instructions suggest that people at average risk begin to be examined at 45.

Now, Hungerford has become a promoter of unofficial fans for colonoscopies, especially with the month of consciousness of colorectal cancer.

“You have to take care of yourself,” he said. “I learned that in a way” a difficult way. “

‘We have a problem’

Hungerford’s wife, Jill, made his appointment of colonoscopy with the advice of a family friend – a gastroenterologist in Northwell Health.

“When I woke up [after the procedure]I was told that the doctor wanted to see me, ”Hungerford knew. “And I thought,” Okay, well, he’s a friend of the family. “He probably just says, ‘everything is good’. And as soon as I sat down, he said,” We have a problem. “

The scans found that a tumor about the size of a small orange was blocking the hunting incine. Surgery was planned for next month.

Meanwhile, Hungerford collided with the weight of the devastating diagnosis. Then he tried to prepare the procedure.

He had to ensure that his intestines were empty and without bacteria, but he could not go to the bathroom.

“I started getting annoying, and in fact I started vomiting – what had happened was that I was blocked,” Hungerford said. “So I was blocked 100% within 24, maybe 36 [or] 48 hours of operation. I started to panic. “

Slow return to normal

Dr. Davidâ Rivadeneira moved to the operation at Huntington Hospital and assured Hungerford it would be eight.

“The David tumor was a classic colon tumor and rectal area, what we call an adenocarcinoma. This is the type of cancer cell that is more prevalent in intestinal treatment, ”said Rivadeneira, director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Huntington for The Post.

Hungerford was subjected to about five months of chemotherapy, from December 2023 to May 2024. He felt energy from steroids to treatment and “wiped out” when they were worn.

He also had a colostomy bag, a bag that collects stool from the body.

“I wouldn’t want this for anyone,” Hungerford mourned. “[It] It was very strange to someone my age and what I do for my career. You get nervous if you are in someone’s home or you are at work and something happens. “

He threw the bag when the one that his colony reacted in July 2024.

Lost signs of cancer

Now, eight months removed from that operation, Hungerford is reflecting on his unilateral test and the signs he might have lost.

He said two of his physicists before his cancer diagnosis was discovered that he was a little anemic, though he did not feel it.

“This is one of the main signs we see with patients with colorectal cancer or bowel cancer in general,” Rivadeneira said.

When a tumor of the colon bleeds, it impoverishes the supply of the body of red blood cells and iron needed to produce hemoglobin to give oxygen to the tissue, leading to anemia.

Hungerford said his hemoglobin was low when being diagnosed with colon cancer, but he had no classic symptoms of fatigue, weakness and dizziness anemia.

He had 10 iron infusions to increase his hemoglobin before his tumor was removed.

Looking forward

These days, Hungerford is without cancer and its prognosis is excellent, Rivadeneira said.

“People have to remember that colon and rectal cancer is an extremely treatable cancer with surgery when caught in the early stages,” he noted.

“Undoubtedly if he had no colonoscopy and had waited longer, his symptoms would worsen, he could have pierced or spoiled his intestines, and his general prognosis of cancer would

This is actually Hungerford’s great regret – that he waited 10 months after turning 45 to get the colonoscopy.

“As if I had it [right] At the age of 45, I would probably not have been blocked the morning of my operation, “Hungerford said.

Now he proudly wears a T-shirt he reads, “no longer sit on” Dig for Colo Cancer “, and estimates that he inspired over 50 people to enroll in colonoscopy by sharing his story on social media.

“I’m just trying to promote heck from it,” he said.