Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A man considered to be fit and healthy was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer last year with only two very unusual symptoms.
Londoner Ollie Tetlow, 42, was doing 10-15k runs three to four times a week before he was diagnosed on 29 February 2024.
The father-of-two was diagnosed after a routine blood test during his annual medical, which revealed abnormal liver function.
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Following ultrasounds and CT scans, doctors discovered that stage four bowel cancer had spread extensively to his liver.
He was just two weeks away from liver failure when it was caught, with over 100 cancer lesions detected during initial examinations.
The finance worker from Dulwich had none of the usual symptoms of bowel cancer, such as changes in your poo, blood in your poo, bleeding from your bottom, and tummy pain.
But Ollie and his doctors were able to identify two key symptoms.
Night sweats
Night sweats can be a symptom of advanced bowel cancer, according to Cancer Research UK.
"The first signs of anything really was right at the end of January 2024, when I started to notice that my energy was dipping a little bit in the afternoon, around like 3pm or 4pm. I started to get some night sweats and a bit of fever," Ollie told us.
"The best way I can describe it is almost like what Covid and jet lag feel like, when you suddenly hit this wall, and then you just start dropping off."
Shoulder and back pain
The fitness enthusiast, who would regularly do 'Dry January', also noticed a strange pain in his shoulder and back after his first night out drinking.
Ollie's consultant oncologist told him this was a possible symptom of bowel cancer.
"I had pain on my right shoulder and my back, and it was really odd. My oncologist thinks my liver was so inflamed that it was pressing on other organs that do have pain receptors, and that's probably why I was getting this weird sort of shoulder pain," explained Ollie.
"And then as it became less inflamed, I guess as the alcohol was flushed out of my system the pain started to move."
Ollie's cancer journey
The father of a 10-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy has been responding well to chemotherapy treatment, having done 28 rounds so far.
On Friday (20 June), he is scheduled for surgery to remove his primary tumour, and if he continues to respond well to treatment he could qualify for a NHS pilot program offering a liver transplant, which could make him cancer free.
Ollie remains really active and still goes to work three days a week, on regular 10k runs, and is able to pursue his DJing passion.
He recently went to Buckingham Palace to meet the King and has also performed a set at The Ministry of Sound, which he called a 'dream'.
Along with his wife Sara, the pair have raised between £50,000 and £60,000 for the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, founded by the late Dame Deborah James.
Referencing James' advice, Ollie urges people with symptoms to go to the doctor and ask for a FIT test, which looks for blood in a stool sample.
"Early stage bowel cancer is easily treatable but in my case the symptoms didn't show until it was spread all over my liver," he added.
"A cancer diagnosis doesn't need to be a death sentence... life doesn't stop when you get diagnosed.
"Not only has the treatment been incredibly effective, I've been able to do all of the things that I continue to love and have loved.
"In many ways I've been living the dream."
The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK is funding the Prospect research project to uncover the reason behind the global rise of bowel cancer in young adults.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Health, Cancer, Bowel cancer, UK News
Anish Vij