A man claims his cancer symptoms were 'masked' while taking Mounjaro prior to his diagnosis.
GLP-1 mediciations, such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy, have become increasingly popular for weight loss in the last couple of years.
All three drugs work by regulating blood sugar, which in turn, reduces appetite and cravings. However, Ozempic is the only one that hasn't been approved for weight loss, while Wegovy and Mounjaro have been.
The NHS announced the decision to roll out the drugs for weight loss in phases - though there is some seriously strict criteria to being prescribed these drugs by your GP.
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Various celebrities, such as Jeremy Clarkson and Amy Schumer, have also spoken about their experiences using Mounjaro.
And recently, one Reddit user opened up about their experience, which he said happened 'three and half years ago'.
The man immediately started off his post by saying he was 'NOT blaming Mounjaro', adding: “In the first year on Mounjaro, I lost about 12 pounds. By the first part of year two, I’d lost another 15. Slow but steady.”
But then things took a turn, as he further explained: “But in the middleyear 2 , the weight started falling off fast—30 pounds in two months, then another drop, and another. Eventually, I became underweight. That’s when my doctor told me to stop the medication.
“That was eight months ago. But I kept losing weight—too much, too fast. Everyone assumed it was still just the lingering effects of Mounjaro.”
However, it was actually stage 3 colon cancer.
“Mounjaro masked the real cause of my rapid weight loss. Looking back, there were red flags. I brought them up with my doctor, but even they chalked it up to side effects." he continued.
"Please—listen to your body. Even if the numbers make sense on paper, trust how you feel."
Bowel cancer has been on the rise (Getty Stock Images)
Taking Mounjaro, like with any drug, comes with a range of potential side effects, including reports of people experiencing hair loss while taking it.
Mild side effects listed by Medical News Today include things like nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and indigestion.
It can also cause burping, flatulence, acid reflux and heartburn, abdominal swelling and mild allergic reactions.
On the serious end, however, it can potentially lead to severe digestive problems, acute kidney injury, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Similar side effects surrounding weight loss can also be present in bowel cancer, especially if it is not known why (via Bowel Cancer UK).
Mayo Clinic also notes that colon cancer symptoms can also present themselves with more frequent diarrhoea or constipation, discomfort in the stomach area, such as pain, gas or cramps.
But rectal bleeding or blood in your stool are also potential signs of bowel cancer.
However, it is important to note that these symptoms may not be caused by cancer, and it is recommended that you see a doctor if they are getting worse and affecting your day-to-day life.
And while there is no link between GLP-1 medications and colon cancer, studies have indicated that they could be beneficial in reducing the risk, as a 2024 study found that those on GLP-1RAs had a 44 per cent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.
However, the study adds that further research is still needed to confirm these observations.
An Eli Lilly spokesperson told LADbible: "Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety extremely seriously.
"Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers.
"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
Britt Jones