The Silent Sign: 38-Year-Old Dad Reveals His Only Bowel Cancer Symptom Was NOT Blood

Burton-on-Trent, UK – At just 38 years old, Dave Paxton, a father of one from Staffordshire, received a shocking diagnosis: an incredibly rare form of bowel cancer, with only 22 other cases documented worldwide. His journey highlights a crucial message for everyone: cancer symptoms aren't always what you expect.

A Routine Question, A Life-Altering Answer

Dave's diagnosis of a grade-four squamous cell tumor of the duodenum (lining of the small intestine) came not from a dramatic symptom, but from a seemingly minor observation. While picking up his anxiety medication, a pharmacist asked a routine question about any other health concerns. Dave offhandedly mentioned a darker stool color, a detail he hadn't initially considered significant enough to discuss. This seemingly slight concern prompted him to book a GP appointment just four days later.

Subsequent tests, including an endoscopy, tragically confirmed the rare cancer.

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A Battle Against a Rare Disease

Since the devastating diagnosis, the cancer has spread to Dave's liver, causing excessive bleeding that necessitates blood transfusions every four days. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an effort to prevent further spread.

"This is terrifying and the treatment side effects are horrendous, but I'm very grateful to the pharmacist for checking in with me. I had noticed but wasn't thinking much of it," Dave shared with Yorkshire Live.

"The diagnosis was such a shock. All I could think about was my son, I just burst into tears. But I also knew I had to get on with it. The cancer is so rare they just can't say how long I have, only that they are treating me to prolong my life."

A Race Against Time: Fundraising for Immunotherapy

Dave's twin brother, Mark, has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a potentially life-saving immunotherapy treatment.

"The only option giving us hope right now is the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab as this has been proven to work on this cancer in other locations, and in some circumstances full results," states the fundraising page. "But tragically, David's insurance will not cover the cost of the drugs because it has not been proven in this extremely rare location. We're now fighting not just the cancer, but the clock. These drugs are his best chance at more time with his 9-year-old son Stanley, and with all of us."

Doctors are unsure why Dave developed this type of cancer at such a young age, calling it "bad luck." Despite the immense challenges, Dave remains hopeful that with 24 sessions of immunotherapy, he could be "in remission and looking towards Christmas and a new start."