When we think of cancer symptoms, particularly bowel cancer, one of the first warning signs that comes to mind is blood in the stool. But for 38-year-old Daniel Cooper, who considered himself a healthy, active man, that textbook symptom never appeared. Instead, he experienced a single, subtle change—one that almost went unnoticed. Now a survivor, Daniel is sharing his story in hopes of raising awareness and saving lives.

Daniel was a father of one, a runner, and someone who prided himself on eating clean and staying in shape. “I rarely got sick. I didn’t drink much, I never smoked, and I was always on the move,” he said. So when he started experiencing slight changes in his bowel habits, he didn’t think much of it.

“I noticed I was going to the toilet more often—just a bit more frequently than usual. There was no pain, no blood, and no discomfort. Just a small change in routine,” Daniel recalled. Like many people, he attributed it to diet, stress, or even aging. But as the weeks turned into months, that pattern stayed the same—and something told him it wasn’t just a phase.

Encouraged by his partner, he visited his doctor. Even the physician initially thought it was probably nothing serious given his age, lifestyle, and lack of major symptoms. However, out of caution, Daniel was referred for a colonoscopy. The results were shocking: he had stage II bowel cancer.

“I was stunned. I felt like I had been punched in the chest. I kept thinking, how could someone like me have cancer? I didn’t fit the profile,” he said.

Daniel's case isn't as rare as it used to be. In recent years, doctors have seen a noticeable increase in bowel cancer diagnoses among people under 50. One of the challenges is that many of these younger patients don’t experience the “classic” symptoms, or they dismiss them as insignificant. According to cancer specialists, early signs of bowel cancer can include changes in bowel habits, unexplained fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and a feeling of incomplete emptying—many of which are easy to ignore or misattribute to other causes.

What makes Daniel's story stand out is how minor his symptom was. “There was no blood, no dramatic weight loss, no pain. Just a slight increase in how often I went to the bathroom,” he explained. “If I hadn’t spoken up, I might not be here today.”

Following surgery and chemotherapy, Daniel is now cancer-free. But his experience has transformed his perspective—and his mission. He now works with local health organizations to spread awareness, especially among younger adults who may believe they are “too young” or “too healthy” to worry about cancer.

“I always thought cancer was something that happened to other people. Older people. People with unhealthy lifestyles. I was wrong,” Daniel said. “Cancer doesn’t care how fit you are. It only cares if you catch it too late.”

His message is clear: Pay attention to your body. Even the smallest changes can be signals that something’s wrong. While not every shift in routine is a sign of cancer, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Daniel’s story is a powerful reminder that bowel cancer doesn't always come with bold, unmistakable symptoms. Sometimes, it's the quiet, almost invisible signs that matter most. By listening to our bodies and speaking up—no matter how minor the issue may seem—we can catch problems early and possibly save lives.