Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

I started needing to move my bowels several times a day and to the point of urgency...

A massive stage 3 tumour was discovered with surgery 4 weeks later. If it wasn’t for my doctor...

I was diagnosed at the age of 26, with stage 3B bowel cancer, while I was 28 weeks pregnant...

My sister was staying with us, saying I had to go to the doctor cos I was in so much pain...

I'll never forget Heath's reply…' But you can fix it, right?' All the colour drained from the room and from our world...

I had been told I could be lactose intolerant or have IBS and also tested for celiac disease and colitis. All negative...

I had been having blood in my stool for about a year before my diagnosis. When I first noticed the blood, it was only small...

My second child was 18 months old and my first visit to the GP I was told, “I was a busy mum with two young children”.

I am a busy and active Mum of two toddlers and receiving a Bowel Cancer diagnosis in early 2023 was quite a surprise!

There's a saying "Life begins at 40" but for me it was very nearly the end of my life. Not long after my 40th Birthday celebration...

“It was just absolutely devastating... It was just, ‘How can this be possible?’ I felt like the world had tipped upside down.”

I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer aged 29. Cancer is never a straight journey - it's filled with ups and downs & loop de loops.

I’m getting back to feeling full of life after radiation, chemo & losing 60cm of my plumbing... your bum is worth getting checked.

Battling this cancer has been a struggle. I need unfunded drugs, I'm now trying to buy more time with my family.

I was 37 when I was diagnosed - our children were 5 and 7, and our village enveloped us in support.

I was 31 when diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and 5 months pregnant with my second IVF baby.

I’m a 'half full' kind of guy... holding on to what the Dr said, “it looked early, I had a good shot at beating it."

We really hope my journey can inspire others battling this dreaded disease to step out with a positive mindset.

I have a great appreciation for my scars – they’re beautiful proof that I am alive and I’m here.

Thankfully it turned out to be a small tumour with 85% chance of cure.

Dr Anne Mathieson is a 36-year old GP and bowel cancer survivor - offering a unique perspective as a medical advisor.

If you are wondering whether to get that 'little symptom' checked or not - go to your GP!

To put it into perspective, a month after visiting my G.P, I was being discharged from hospital. Read more of Marcel's story here:

Jonny had always been fit and healthy. He ate well, exercises, and looks after himself.

I was fortunate that my GP was thorough and followed up on my test results.

Anna was fit and healthy and didn’t think she fitted the profile of a bowel cancer patient.

I noticed blood intermittently for three weeks before going to the doctor.

Because I was in my late 30s, I went through a drawn-out process and delays.

I personally think the biggest challenge in cancer is the mental battle, not the physical one.

They say hindsight is a great thing and that is true. I now realise I was showing signs something wasn't right back on January 06. Read more.

In April 2016 at age 38 Renee underwent surgery to remove a tumour from her bowel. Read more of her story here:

My name is Anita, I’m 38 and I have survived cancer twice. My story with bowel cancer started when my Nana died from it. Read more here:

I just want to make sure that anybody that has the symptoms – please get them checked, I didn’t, don’t make my mistake. Read more.

After 10 years of trying to get a diagnosis, Sara was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in Dec 2022 after a self funded surgery.

I had noticed blood in my stool and went to doctor who referred me for colonoscopy, I had cancer, it had been there a while...

My cancer has taken away from me many things, but I have gained tremendous support from my family and friends.

If having cancer has taught me anything, it's forging through. I've done things that I never thought I'd do.

I switched into how do I make this journey my journey.

Never let the fear of cancer stop you finding out if you have it or not. Finding out early really is the best cure.

I am well and encouraged by my follow up care, it is now all behind me.

I experienced some family stress almost 5 years ago so I decided to visit my GP for a check.

Having made it past 60 relatively unscathed I had no real concerns with my health...

It is two years since I lost my best friend. I try to really live, and to count my blessings.

My husband was diagnosed after repeatedly being fobbed off by the GP.

Our ambassador Jenny-May Clarkson shares how her brother's death from bowel cancer affected her family.

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at just 42 years old, on our youngest child’s birthday.

Patrick's daughter Rachel didn’t know anything about bowel cancer until it struck her family twice.

Jonny had always been fit and healthy. He ate well, exercises, and looks after himself.

I was fortunate that my GP was thorough and followed up on my test results.

Anna was fit and healthy and didn’t think she fitted the profile of a bowel cancer patient.

Our ambassador Jenny-May Clarkson shares how her brother's death from bowel cancer affected her family.

Dr Anne Mathieson is a 36-year old GP and bowel cancer survivor - offering a unique perspective as a medical advisor.

If you’re concerned about your doctor’s diagnosis, keep going back or get a second opinion.

Only 10% of bowel cancer is inherited, so the way you live does have an impact says Professor Frizelle who treats bowel cancer patients almost everyday.

When I turned to flush I noticed something in my poop that looked like dark red lines...

[The Doctor] said I was so anemic she was surprised I was conscious and able to function... So began Bowel Cancer Act I...

I noticed blood intermittently for three weeks before going to the doctor.

I just want to make sure that anybody that has the symptoms – please get them checked, I didn’t, don’t make my mistake. Read more.