When Constipation Turned Out to Be Something More

20 May 2025

 

It Was Just Constipation…Or So We Thought

Shared by Dr Vance Koi｜Consultant Clinical Oncologist

My dad, at 65, was active, full of life.
A loving father, a proud grandfather of nine;
Never the kind to slow down or complain.

So we never expected something as simple as constipation,
To be the start of something so serious.
It began with difficulty passing motion,
Long hours in the toilet with no relief.

At first, laxatives worked, 
But soon, they didn’t.
He increased the dose, switched brands,
Trying one after another, but yet, still no lasting relief.

This went on, and he never said a word.
Until one day, I noticed the white of his eyes were yellow.
Now thinner, his skin had also turned sallow.
Concerned, I took him for a check-up.
After going through tests, this was the result:
Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer.

It had spread to his liver.
He stared at me in disbelief.
“But it was just constipation,” he said.
“How could I have known?”

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Think colorectal cancer always comes with obvious symptoms? Think again. 

It is the second most common cancer in Malaysia, and it's affecting more younger people than ever. The good news is, early detection and treatment saves lives.

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