He was 40 years old, four children, a busy life … and just thought of suffering from stress. Eight months later, Kyle Ingram-Baldwin succumbed to metastasy colon cancer. His overwhelming testimony resonates as a warning for all.
It was just a stomach pain, insistent, but not alarming. Stress, Kyle Ingram-Baldwin thought, 40, father of four young children. However, in just a few months, this banal symptom has been transformed into a fatal diagnosis: metastasy colon cancer, discovered too late to be treated. Kyle died on June 16, eight months after the doctors identified the disease. Today, his call not to ignore the body signals could save lives, as the magazine indicates People.
Originally from Kent, in the United Kingdom, Kyle first put its pains on the account of a stressful daily life. Neither he nor the doctors considered the possibility of cancer: he was young, healthy, and without known risk factor. However, when the pain intensified and he ended up going to the emergency room, the scanners revealed liver tumors. The verdict fell soon after: colorectal cancer of stadium 4, with extensive metastases. At this point, the chances of survival fall at 13 %.
The signs of colon cancer not to take lightly
Kyle thought it was too young for such a disease. However, cases of colorectal cancer in adults under the age of 50 are increasing sharply. It is one of the deadliest cancers, but also one of the easiest to treat if it is detected in time. Doctors recall that certain symptoms must systematically alert, in particular:
- A persistent change in intestinal habits (more frequent, soft or very fine stools);
- dark red blood in the stool;
- abdominal pain for more than a week;
- unexplained weight loss;
- The presence of mucus in the stool.
According to medical recommendations, any digestive alert which persists for more than three weeks must result in consultation. The screening test, free for 50–74 year olds, is simple and painless. But among the youngest, it is only offered in the event of symptoms or family history. More and more specialists such as the site Doctissimo call to lower the age of screening to 45 years.
“If you think something is wrong, listen to your body”
Despite treatments and chemotherapy, Kyle cancer continued to progress. Before dying, he shared several poignant messages to the public. “I never want someone else to live what I live. Make yourself examined, even if you think it’s nothing. »»
In another video, he confided: “I was wondering what was going on. What did I hurt? I rejected myself with the fault and I was worried about the future of my wife and my children. »»
“It’s probably the hardest: the mental side. Do not get me wrong, the physical is not funny either, but it is a mental challenge. »» On the eve of his death, his message remained the same: “Go be examined. I really don’t want someone to be in my situation. »»
Becky, his wife, announced the news on June 17: “Kyle took a very sudden and unexpected turning point and we lost it yesterday. He was the most incredible man I have never met, and I know he would like me to thank everyone for all your sharing and your donations. »»
Before leaving, Kyle thought of her children: “It’s really difficult to express with words, because I love my children so much. We are just worried about their future. They have the best mom in the world, and I sincerely think it. My wife is incredible. »»