Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

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

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

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

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

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

"It was a slow process getting my diagnosis as I waited far too long to get seen..."

They say hindsight is a great thing and that is true. I now realise I was showing signs something wasn't

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

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

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

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

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

"The support from Bowel Cancer NZ has been amazing! I've referred to the website so many times and continue to.”

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

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

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

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

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

"...not in my wildest dreams did I believe I would get a cancer diagnosis."

"It’s that little bit of laughter that gets us through the toughest times."

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

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

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

I had been having blood in my stool for about a year before my diagnosis. When I first noticed the

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

Bowel cancer never occurred to me even once in that time, I was only 34 and with no risk factors.

I have become circumspect about the whole thing. I just think it is what it is and I just have

I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer aged 29. Cancer is never a straight journey - it's filled with

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

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

I was by myself with the surgeon when I was diagnosed... my cancer was caused by a mutated gene...

My name is Anita, I’m 38 and I have survived cancer twice. My story with bowel cancer started when my

"After my diagnosis, my GP called me... 'I'm sorry, cancer never crossed my mind because of your age.'"

"What is harder than cancer? Having to tell your loved ones that you have cancer..."

Everywhere I have been, the recurring theme is that I’m just too young. But I’m hearing of more young people

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

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

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

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

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

I was diagnosed at the age of 33. I still remember the conversation with the specialist, my husband Josh and

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

"Two weeks after competing in a 160km Ultramarathon, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I've been an athlete pretty much

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"... In my mind cancer was a death sentence. Which of course it wasn’t because I am still here, alive

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

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

My wife Dominique will always be remembered as a loving mother who gave everything of herself.

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.

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

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

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

"Dan started getting some pains before and after using the loo about a year ago, he didn't think anything of

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

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

Bike To Fight. He is not only my dad he is also my best mate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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