Telha
Many people either have been or know someone who, despite being uncomfortable, in pain, or ill, avoids seeing a doctor. While some issues may resolve on their own, others can escalate into serious emergencies. Liam Griffiths, a 31-year-old from the UK who is terminally ill, is now speaking out about this issue.
Liam’s Battle With Terminal Cancer
Liam Griffiths, from Middlesborough, UK, is battling peritoneal cancer, a type of cancer affecting the abdominal lining. Despite his courageous efforts, Liam’s condition has been deemed terminal, and he may not have much longer to live. He is now using his experience to warn others not to repeat his mistake of delaying medical attention. Liam began experiencing symptoms like stomach swelling, chronic constipation, cramps, and vomiting in March. Despite these signs, he avoided seeing a doctor because he was self-employed and couldn’t afford to miss work.
You Don’t Have To ‘Man Up’
As Liam’s symptoms worsened, he eventually went to the hospital, where he was initially diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. A month later, doctors corrected the diagnosis to peritoneal cancer, which required chemotherapy. Unfortunately, his cancer was resistant to treatment, and he has been told it is terminal. Liam now urges others to avoid his mistake of ignoring symptoms and postponing medical visits.
“I want to push this message because if just one or two people go to the hospital and get checked because of my mistake and my story, that would be amazing,” he said. “They found my cancer at stage three advanced – but if I had just gone to see the doctors earlier, maybe they could have caught it. I was self-employed, and I needed the money, so I just kept powering through. I did what I thought a man needed to do – I was manning up.”
Raising Awareness For Others
Despite his challenging situation, Liam is working to raise awareness about the importance of health care and urges others not to make the same mistake he did. A fundraiser organized by his close friend, Eve Bannatyne, has raised over £18,000 for his medical expenses.
“I want to push this message because if just one or two people go to the hospital and get checked because of my mistake and my story, that would be amazing.”
Liam’s story highlights the crucial need to prioritize one’s health and address symptoms promptly. It can be tempting to delay medical attention, especially if you’re self-employed or worried about lost income, but, as Liam’s experience shows, the consequences of postponing treatment can be severe.
The Most Common Signs of Cancer
Cancer comes in many forms, each with its own signs and symptoms. However, some symptoms are common across different types. According to Spotting Cancer.org, these include:
– Lumps and masses under the skin
– Fatigue and weakness
– Unintended weight gain or loss
– Skin changes
– Persistent cough or trouble breathing
– Unusual bleeding
– Bowel changes
Regular medical check-ups, being aware of your family history, and paying attention to changes in your health can help catch cancer early. Early detection improves outcomes.
We wish Liam the best in his battle against cancer and hope his message encourages others to prioritize their health.
