A shocking discovery has revealed the link between a woman’s persistent burping and her undiagnosed late-stage cancer. Bailey McBreen, a 25-year-old nurse from Florida, experienced frequent burping up to 10 times a day in 2021. Initially dismissing it as a minor symptom, she became concerned when it progressed to acid reflux and severe stomach cramps. After seeking medical attention, she received a staggering diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer, leaving her and her family in disbelief.
McBreen reflected on the initial sign that something was wrong, recounting, “I began excessively burping, around 5-10 times a day. This was not normal for me.” As her health rapidly deteriorated, she experienced excruciating pain, loss of appetite, and difficulties with her bowel movements. Trusting her instincts as a nurse, McBreen turned to the hospital for answers. A CT scan revealed a tumor obstructing her large intestine, confirming the stage 3 colon cancer.
The young woman expressed her astonishment at the diagnosis, stating, “It truly was an out-of-body experience. I remember the first thing I could say was, ‘I am not ready to die.’ Never in a million years did I think that any vague symptom I had was actually stage 3 colon cancer.” McBreen believes that her nonstop burping was linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which developed a month after she noticed the excessive burping.
“Excessive burping isn’t typically associated with colon cancer, but my oncologist informed me that it was likely the start of my symptoms,” McBreen shared. “GERD was a significant manifestation in my case because my tumor was gradually causing a complete bowel obstruction.” Recognizing the importance of awareness, she is now encouraging others to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice if something feels off.
After her diagnosis, McBreen underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy until the end of August. By sharing her story, she hopes to bring attention to the prevalence of colon cancer, which is the third most common cancer worldwide, following lung and breast cancers.
