Joe Faratzis, who was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, has opened up about the warning signs he ignored before learning of his illness. Speaking on TikTok, he revealed that his symptoms began in 2019, but he dismissed them for months, believing they weren’t serious.

At 28, after ignoring his doctor’s concerns and a CT scan, he finally underwent a colonoscopy, which led to his diagnosis. Faratzis now urges others to get early screenings, stressing that “early screening could save you and your family” and to not risk waiting to see a doctor. His aim is to raise awareness for those who may also be disregarding potential warning signs.

@radiant14percent

Live your life full of love and hope #colorectacancer #cancerfighter #cancer #rectalcancer #cancerjourney #stage4cancer #coloncancerawareness #coloncancer

♬ Runaway – Piano Rendition – The Blue Notes & L’Orchestra Cinematique

Sweating and Night Sweats

Dr. Cathy Eng, a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, shared with Patient Power that “night sweats, weight loss, pain, chronic anemia, fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of energy” are key signs of advanced colon cancer.

This suggests the cancer may have spread or reached a stage where treatment becomes more difficult.