Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

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

As I stood there at the edge of the lake with my toes in the freezing cold water, I was

"I was 32 when I was diagnosed .It was a slow process getting my diagnosis..."

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

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

Life was trucking along beautifully. I was 39, fit, healthy. Then I read a story about a woman’s diagnosis with

I was active and health conscious, and I turned to Dr Google when I thought my symptoms were down to

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

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

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

My second child was 18 months old and my first visit to the GP I was told, “I was a

"I wanted to help, not only for Mum but for everyone else affected. I’m moving my butt for everyone who

"I was diagnosed in November 2021 with stage 3 sigmoid colon cancer. My children were 6, 4 and 3."

Nothing could prepare me for the journey that I’ve taken over the last 18 months.

“It’s more common than you think – don’t brush it off as something that only happens to older people.”

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

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

Despite displaying all of the symptoms of bowel cancer, I was put in the box of “young, fit and healthy”.

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

"My name is Nicola and I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer last year, at 43..."

I think because I have always been "too young" to get bowel cancer, they never thought to check.

"Santa brought me cancer for Christmas".

Stefan was 47 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.

Some days I take optimistic steps forward, some days I retreat in fear. I miss my life pre-cancer.

"This disease doesn't discriminate whether you are young or old...There's always hope. Remember, every storm eventually runs out of rain."

"There was so little time between diagnosis and surgery that I don’t believe I truly processed it..."

“I am ALIVE and I am so very grateful for that and that I got to beat this."

“Please don’t ignore symptoms."

"At 24 weeks pregnant I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer..."

After my diagnosis, all I really wanted was to hear the experiences of women just like me - so here’s

It’s a scary thing to be told you have Cancer. I was 44, owned a busy cafe, I was a

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

"Diagnosis was complicated by pregnancy, recovery from a caesarean and life with 2 full on boys..."

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

I went to the GP requesting a full check-up and specially requested a Bowel Screening Kit. The test came back

"[This] photo was nearly 5 years after my surgery and felt like the start of my post-cancer journey."

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

A couple of thousand dollars cost to personally fund a colonoscopy is a small price to pay for an early

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

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

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

I’m a singer who writes nice, thoughtful songs. But cancer isn’t polite or thoughtful, it doesn’t worry about offending anyone.

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

Never in my mind did I ever think I would ever get cancer.

"I was 52 when I randomly had a lot of blood when I went to the toilet. I felt otherwise

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

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

"I'm telling my story to help others, and to encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get screened."

"I had no symptoms...How could this be so? I was carrying these nasty passengers without any awareness of illness"

"If I had not done the FIT [the bowel screening] test in January I would not have realised I had

"Yes, my life changed... but there’s always golden moments. We bought a campervan and enjoy that and every day I

Even though I was well aware of our family history, I went through life trying to avoid thinking about it.

 Don't be afraid to see your doctor if you have any symptoms that are worrying you.

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

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

“If it wasn’t for BCNZ I wouldn’t be here – simple as that.”

"I am on the Facebook Bowel Cancer NZ Patient and Whanau Support Group which has been an excellent source of

"I would not wish this on any family, and hope these stories can help someone to have the courage to

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

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

"There are so many things I wish I had done differently, but it was very challenging being the primary caregiver,

"As a family we could not be more proud of the woman she was and the fight she put up

"I felt now was the time to take that step and contribute to this worthy cause".

No one deserves to die of Bowel Cancer. Everyone deserves time, dignity and hope.

My husband Willy, 35-years young, was the most genuine man you could ever meet, a real family man and friend

Dad won't ever get to meet any grandchildren or walk my sister down the aisle.

My husband Cliff was 41 when finally diagnosed. He had been fobbed off for about 18 months being told he

I was active and health conscious, and I turned to Dr Google when I thought my symptoms were down to

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

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

A couple of thousand dollars cost to personally fund a colonoscopy is a small price to pay for an early

'My advice is if you’re worried about your symptoms, even if they seem minor, see your GP'.

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

"I was diagnosed in November 2021 with stage 3 sigmoid colon cancer. My children were 6, 4 and 3."

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

“If it wasn’t for BCNZ I wouldn’t be here – simple as that.”

"Without chemo my oncologist gave me 10% chance of survival. With chemo, a 30% chance..."

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...