At just 25 years old, Bailey McBreen—a vibrant, healthy-looking young woman from Florida—was living a typical life until an unusual symptom started to disrupt her routine. It wasn’t a sharp pain or a visible ailment that first alerted her to trouble. It was burping.

In 2021, McBreen began experiencing excessive burping, sometimes up to ten times a day. At first, she brushed it off, believing it was a minor issue like indigestion or something she ate. But as weeks turned into months, the burping persisted and began to intensify. Eventually, her symptoms evolved into acid reflux and increasingly severe stomach pain, prompting her to seek medical help.

Speaking to NeedToKnow.co.uk, McBreen shared that her first sign something was wrong came when she noticed herself swallowing excessively—up to 10 times a day. “It felt strange,” she recalled. “Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, that was my body trying to tell me something wasn’t right.”

What followed was a steady decline in her health. She started experiencing extreme abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weakness so debilitating that getting in and out of the bathtub became a struggle. Trusting her instincts, she finally went to the hospital. That’s when doctors performed a CT scan and discovered a shocking truth—she had a tumor blocking her large intestine and was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.

McBreen described her diagnosis as a “huge shock” to both herself and her family. “I never thought it could be something as horrible as cancer,” she said. “The first thing that went through my mind was: I’m not ready to die.” For someone her age, and with no family history of the disease, the news was devastating.

Initially, McBreen assumed her burping might be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition often characterized by heartburn and indigestion. “Excessive burping isn’t typically linked to colon cancer,” she said. “But my oncologist explained that it was likely the first symptom caused by my tumor, which was beginning to obstruct my intestines.”

She explained that GERD was likely a byproduct of the growing tumor in her colon. As it developed, it began putting pressure on other parts of her digestive system, creating symptoms that could easily be misinterpreted as a less serious gastrointestinal issue. It’s this subtlety that makes colon cancer so dangerous, especially for young people who may not suspect something so severe is going on.

After receiving the diagnosis, McBreen underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor. She began chemotherapy treatments shortly afterward and is expected to continue them through the end of August. Despite the physical and emotional toll, McBreen remains hopeful and is using her voice to raise awareness.

Now, she’s urging others—especially young adults—to pay attention to their bodies and not ignore seemingly minor symptoms. “You know your body better than anyone else,” she said. “If something feels off, don’t dismiss it. Speak up, get checked, and push for answers.”

Colon cancer is often considered a disease that affects older adults, but cases in younger people have been on the rise. According to health experts, colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, trailing only prostate and breast cancer. Yet its early warning signs—such as fatigue, changes in bowel habits, stomach pain, and yes, even excessive burping—are often mistaken for less serious problems.

Bailey McBreen’s story is a stark reminder that even the most minor symptoms can be the body’s way of flagging something serious. Her courage in sharing such a personal journey is not only admirable—it could save lives. By listening to her body and advocating for her own health, she was able to catch her illness before it progressed even further. She hopes her experience will empower others to trust their instincts and seek medical attention when something doesn’t feel right.

As she continues her fight against cancer, McBreen is determined to live fully, inspire others, and shed light on the reality that colon cancer can affect anyone, at any age. Her journey—from burping to a life-altering diagnosis—illustrates just how important it is to never ignore the small signs. They might be the body’s quiet cry for help.