All the subtle symptoms of colon cancer that struck years before TikTok star Bailey Hutchins tragically passed

TikTok star Bailey Hutchins died on Friday from a form of cancer that is surging among young people.

The Florida-native was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at the age of 24 years in January 2023, after doctors found a large tumor blocking her colon. 

But Bailey says that symptoms of the cancer began in 2021, when she says started burping excessively on vacation in Tennessee.

Given her age and overall fitness, she dismissed it as something innocuous.

Then in November 2022, she also started to experience acid reflux. Sometimes, she would experience reflux so bad that she would vomit into her mouth.

These were all signs that a tumor had formed inside her colon and was causing trouble digesting food. 

Tragically, Bailey never joined the dots until it was too late. 

She finally went to a doctors in 2023 when she began suffering bad intermittent cramps and waves of abdominal pain. 

Speaking about her symptoms in a TikTok video released in the same year, she said: ‘Looking back now, I know that excessive burping is a symptom of colon cancer.

‘And I didn’t Google it, and I Google everything, and I wish I would have Googled that as I probably would have gone to the doctor but I didn’t think twice about the fact that I burped.’

Her husband Caden announced her passing on Saturday, revealing she had died on the previous night. 

‘I’m devastated to say that my Bailey B has passed away last night. She fought such a tough incredible fight these past two years and she’s no longer suffering from all the torturous pain she has endured during this journey,’ he wrote on Instagram. 

Colon cancer has surged in young Americans, with diagnoses in expected to nearly double from 2010 to 2030.

The American Cancer Society estimates over 154,000 Americans will be struck with the colon cancer this year, and just under 53,000 will die.

In 2023, 19,550 people under the age of 50 reported having colon cancer out of which 3,750 died. 

Bailey knew something was wrong in January 2023 when she suffered from ‘excruciating’ pain and was unable to go to the bathroom.

She also had no appetite and was extremely bloated, noting that her stomach was ‘rock hard’. 

Drawing on her experience as a nurse, Bailey felt confident there was some sort of ‘bowel obstruction’ going on inside her body. 

She began taking laxatives but her pain continued to worsen – to the point where she could not eat and was severely dehydrated. 

Bailey was ultimately taken to an ER by her family and a subsequent CT scan showed that a tumor was growing in her colon.

She was eventually diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer – meaning it had begun to spread from her colon to other parts of her body – which came as a ‘huge shock’ to her and her family.

Though burping as a sign of cancer may seem bizarre, colon cancer can cause obstructions in the digestive tract, leading to excess gas.    

After her diagnosis, she found out about the strange link with belching. The tumor was located higher in the transverse colon, located just beneath the other organs in the abdominal cavity. It’s the longest and most mobile part of the colon.

This then caused a bowel obstruction.  

The nurse thought the tumor caused the onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic digestive disease that happens when the esophageal sphincter can’t close properly. 

When that sphincter can’t close, stomach acid travels up to the esophagus, causing heartburn, burping and trouble swallowing. 

‘GERD was a symptom in my case because my tumor was slowly causing a complete bowel obstruction,’ Ms McBreen said. ‘As a result, my food was not completely digesting and was getting ‘trapped’ above my tumor, causing my reflux and burping.’

‘Excessive burping isn’t your textbook sign of colon cancer but my oncologist told me that it was likely the start of my symptoms.’

According to the Mayo Clinic, colon cancer happens when the certain cells in the colon undergo changes in their DNA.  

Essentially, the changes force the now-DNA altered cells to multiple quickly and forces them to continue living while other regular healthy cells continue die as part of their natural lifecycle.

Due to the overpopulation of DNA altered cells, they join together to form a mass called a tumor.

The cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, the cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. 

When cancer spreads, it’s called metastatic cancer.   According to experts, a peritoneal metastasis occurs when the cancer spreads from the colon to the the lining of the abdomen known as peritoneum. 

Doctors recommend that people with an average risk of colon cancer consider starting screening around age 45. 

However, those with a family history of cancer are asked to begin screening earlier in life. 

Bailey’s TikTok account announced her death with a video of her wedding day alongside a message for her 170,000 followers.

‘Last night our Bailey B passed on to Heaven,’ the caption, written by her husband, read.

‘Although we selfishly wanted her here forever we are at peace knowing that she no longer has to endure any pain or suffering.’

The video has gathered 7.4million views. Bailey’ sister also shared a post on Instagram to honor her following her death.

‘As of 2/7 at 10:30 pm, after a two year battle of a terrible disease, my beautiful sister gained her angel wings. There is nothing that can prepare you for a loss like this,’ Ashley Rolfes wrote.

‘She suffered greatly, but she hid it very well. She tried not to let cancer rule her life because she just wanted to be ‘normal’. She was too good for this world. I love you so much Ba, forever and always.’

Prior to cancer, she led a ‘very healthy’ lifestyle and had been working out five to six times a week for at least 14 months.