Texas Woman blames Bra for Chest Pain, Later diagnosed with advanced Cancer
Radwah Oda, a Texas mother, blamed her bra for chest pain, but doctors diagnosed her with advanced colon cancer.
For months, Radwah Oda, a 33-year-old mother from Houston, Texas, dismissed her chest pain as discomfort caused by an ill-fitting bra. She continued her active lifestyle, unaware that her body was sending warning signs of something far more serious. When the pain worsened, along with other subtle symptoms, she finally sought medical attention—only to receive a shocking diagnosis: stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to her liver with over 20 tumors.
Her story is a cautionary tale about recognizing the early warning signs of cancer and highlights a growing trend of colorectal cancer affecting younger adults. What started as what she believed to be a minor issue turned into a life-altering reality, pushing her to share her experience to raise awareness.
Texas women ignored symptoms that turned out to be cancer
Despite leading a healthy lifestyle, working out four to five days a week, and maintaining a nutritious diet, she never imagined she could be at risk for stage 4 colon cancer. Each symptom seemed minor and easily explained away by other factors.
"I was in complete shock. I didn’t want to believe it. I kept asking myself—what did I do wrong?" Oda recalled of her 2021 diagnosis.
She experienced several symptoms over time that she either ignored or misattributed to other causes:
- Changes in stool shape – She noticed her stools were thinner than usual but assumed it was due to dietary changes.
- Blood in her stool – She believed it was caused by hemorrhoids, a common condition that typically isn’t serious.
- A persistent feeling of incomplete bowel movements – She thought it was due to stress and lifestyle factors.
- Unexplained chest pain under her right breast – She blamed her bra, assuming it was too tight or causing irritation.
- Chronic fatigue – She attributed her exhaustion to working from home and managing family responsibilities.
None of these symptoms seemed alarming enough at the time for her to consider seeking medical help. But when the chest pain intensified, and she started feeling increasingly unwell, she decided to see a doctor.
Oda's Cancer treatment and ongoing battle
Following her diagnosis, Oda underwent:
- Three surgeries to remove parts of her liver and colon.
- Chemotherapy to target remaining cancer cells.
- A clinical trial for a new chemotherapy treatment after cancer spots reappeared in her liver.
Despite the challenges, she remains focused on her 12-year-old daughter, friends, and living life to the fullest.
"Instead of living in fear, I choose to live in the now, focusing on the good days and surrounding myself with positivity," Oda shares.
"Cancer may have taken over my body, but I will never allow it to take over my mental health."
