Data revealing an uptick in colon cancer diagnoses among adults below the age of 50 has prompted health warnings urging Britons not to dismiss symptoms such as rectal bleeding. But the trend has also encouraged younger people affected by the disease to speak publicly about their experiences. Paige Seifert is one of them. She was just 24 years old when doctors discovered she had stage three colon cancer, and she's now sharing her story to help others spot the warning signs. The content creator recently opened up to her viewers about the three symptoms that pushed her to seek medical attention, careful to stress that having these symptoms doesn't automatically mean cancer. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say "I'm just trying to bring awareness to the fact that colon cancer is rising in young people," she told viewers in a recent clip. The first symptom she highlighted was the presence of blood in her stool, describing it as a significant indicator that something was amiss. "If you're seeing blood in your stool, that's your number one sign to go and see a doctor," she shared. Despite being alarmed by the symptom, Paige's path to diagnosis was far from straightforward, with separate medical professionals attributing the bleeding to haemorrhoids before any further investigation was conducted. She urges viewers to persist in seeking proper confirmation and appropriate treatment, rather than accepting initial dismissals. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Surgeon warns patients are ignoring five 'worrying features' of colon cancer Sisters who lost both parents to cancer recall symptoms that led to 'sudden death' ‘I was diagnosed with rectal cancer at 28 - all my symptoms came on rapidly’ The second symptom Paige experienced was profound exhaustion, one that went far beyond ordinary tiredness. "Cancer fatigue is on a whole new level," she explained. "I'm not the kind of person who can fall asleep in the middle of the day and take naps, but my eyes were slamming shut all the time." Despite sleeping for twelve hours, she remained constantly drained, but could still manage work and daily activities. The third symptom, stomach discomfort, was the final indicator that convinced Paige something was genuinely wrong. Following ten months of treatment, Paige completed her cancer therapy on November 17, 2025, only to face another life-threatening complication just days later. A routine follow-up CT scan revealed a 5cm blood clot positioned dangerously close to her heart, along with a pulmonary embolism, a discovery made entirely by chance. She spent a week in the hospital over Thanksgiving and underwent surgery to remove the clot. Today, she acknowledges the surreal nature of confronting mortality at an age when most people never consider such matters, telling viewers: "The main message is that if you feel like something is wrong with your body, advocate for yourself." But she was also careful to provide reassurance, noting that these symptoms do not automatically indicate cancer. She explained: "In fact, statistically speaking, you probably don't. These symptoms are linked to things like IBS, coeliac, so don't freak out." Nevertheless, her experience demonstrates that persistent symptoms warrant thorough medical investigation, particularly as diagnoses among younger adults continue to rise. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter