SUPPORT

Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

Read the personal stories of New Zealanders living with bowel cancer, and their families and supporters

Young people (under 50)

I started needing to move my bowels several times a day and to the point of urgency...
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I was by myself with the surgeon when I was diagnosed... my cancer was caused by a mutated gene...
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A massive stage 3 tumour was discovered with surgery 4 weeks later. If it wasn’t for my doctor...
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When I turned to flush I noticed something in my poop that looked like dark red lines...
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I was diagnosed at the age of 26, with stage 3B bowel cancer, while I was 28 weeks pregnant...
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It’s a scary thing to be told you have Cancer. I was 44, owned a busy cafe, I was a Mum, and a Wife...
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My sister was staying with us, saying I had to go to the doctor cos I was in so much pain...
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I was diagnosed at the age of 33. I still remember the conversation with the specialist, my husband Josh and I sat there in disbelief.
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I'll never forget Heath's reply…' But you can fix it, right?' All the colour drained from the room and from our world...
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As I stood there at the edge of the lake with my toes in the freezing cold water, I was scared, excited and grateful...
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I had been told I could be lactose intolerant or have IBS and also tested for celiac disease and colitis. All negative...
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I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer back in 2016 when I was 36 years old. I'd been having mild symptoms for...
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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...
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My husband Cliff was 41 when finally diagnosed. He had been fobbed off for about 18 months being told he was too young...
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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”.
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Everywhere I have been, the recurring theme is that I’m just too young. But I’m hearing of more young people getting it...
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I am a busy and active Mum of two toddlers and receiving a Bowel Cancer diagnosis in early 2023 was quite a surprise!
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My husband Willy, 35-years young, was the most genuine man you could ever meet, a real family man and friend to many people.
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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...
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"Dan started getting some pains before and after using the loo about a year ago, he didn't think anything of it, as it would come and go.
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“It was just absolutely devastating... It was just, ‘How can this be possible?’ I felt like the world had tipped upside down.”
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After my diagnosis, all I really wanted was to hear the experiences of women just like me - so here’s my story for you.
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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.
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I should have seen my Dr about it a long time ago, but I was naive and thought it was nothing... if I’d just listened to my instincts.
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I’m getting back to feeling full of life after radiation, chemo & losing 60cm of my plumbing... your bum is worth getting checked.
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I’m a singer who writes nice, thoughtful songs. But cancer isn’t polite or thoughtful, it doesn’t worry about offending anyone.
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Battling this cancer has been a struggle. I need unfunded drugs, I'm now trying to buy more time with my family.
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Diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 44, with a 30% chance of survival... my garden and piece of paradise helped me heal.
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I was 37 when I was diagnosed - our children were 5 and 7, and our village enveloped us in support.
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Bowel cancer never occurred to me even once in that time, I was only 34 and with no risk factors.
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I was 31 when diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and 5 months pregnant with my second IVF baby.
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I was 34 with two very young daughters when I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer, after intense stomach pains.
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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."
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I remember the doctor saying “It definitely won’t be bowel cancer, you’re too young."
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We really hope my journey can inspire others battling this dreaded disease to step out with a positive mindset.
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Some days I take optimistic steps forward, some days I retreat in fear. I miss my life pre-cancer.
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I have a great appreciation for my scars – they’re beautiful proof that I am alive and I’m here.
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The colonoscopist was like, “everything is pretty good, but THAT shouldn’t be there."
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Thankfully it turned out to be a small tumour with 85% chance of cure.
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I have become circumspect about the whole thing. I just think it is what it is and I just have to deal with it.
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Dr Anne Mathieson is a 36-year old GP and bowel cancer survivor - offering a unique perspective as a medical advisor.
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I think because I have always been "too young" to get bowel cancer, they never thought to check.
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If you are wondering whether to get that 'little symptom' checked or not - go to your GP!
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When someone says life is too short, treat every day like it’s your last. Maybe we should.
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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:
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Life was trucking along beautifully. I was 39, fit, healthy. Then I read a story about a woman’s diagnosis with bowel cancer. Read more:
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Jonny had always been fit and healthy. He ate well, exercises, and looks after himself.
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A couple of thousand dollars cost to personally fund a colonoscopy is a small price to pay for an early diagnosis. Read more here:
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I was fortunate that my GP was thorough and followed up on my test results.
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I was active and health conscious, and I turned to Dr Google when I thought my symptoms were down to food intolerances. Read more:
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Anna was fit and healthy and didn’t think she fitted the profile of a bowel cancer patient.
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I went to the GP requesting a full check-up and specially requested a Bowel Screening Kit. The test came back positive. Read my story here.
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I noticed blood intermittently for three weeks before going to the doctor.
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Despite displaying all of the symptoms of bowel cancer, I was put in the box of “young, fit and healthy”.
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Because I was in my late 30s, I went through a drawn-out process and delays.
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I noticed blood intermittently for three weeks before going to the doctor.
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I personally think the biggest challenge in cancer is the mental battle, not the physical one.
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Nothing could prepare me for the journey that I’ve taken over the last 18 months.
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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.
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Hi my name is Jewel Brown and last year at the age of 30 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer. Read my story here:
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In April 2016 at age 38 Renee underwent surgery to remove a tumour from her bowel. Read more of her story here:
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Stefan was 47 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.
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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:
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I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer 4 years ago. What followed was a year long rollercoaster ride of Radio, Chemo and Surgery.
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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.
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Age 50+

There is a history of bowel cancer in my family; my mother having died at 48 and my brother having died at 36 from it.
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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...
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[The Doctor] said I was so anemic she was surprised I was conscious and able to function... So began Bowel Cancer Act I...
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My cancer has taken away from me many things, but I have gained tremendous support from my family and friends.
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Even though I was well aware of our family history, I went through life trying to avoid thinking about it.
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If having cancer has taught me anything, it's forging through. I've done things that I never thought I'd do.
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Back from the brink. Get checked at the first miniscule inkling that something may be amiss.
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I switched into how do I make this journey my journey.
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I take life a day at a time and make it my priority to find joy every day.
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Never let the fear of cancer stop you finding out if you have it or not. Finding out early really is the best cure.
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Never in my mind did I ever think I would ever get cancer.
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I am well and encouraged by my follow up care, it is now all behind me.
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 Don't be afraid to see your doctor if you have any symptoms that are worrying you.
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I experienced some family stress almost 5 years ago so I decided to visit my GP for a check.
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John had turned 67, retired and was happily setting up a small part time financial advisory service.
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Having made it past 60 relatively unscathed I had no real concerns with my health...
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Patrick's daughter Rachel didn’t know anything about bowel cancer until it struck her family twice.
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Family perspective

Ryan was only 22 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer, being told “you are far too young”.
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It is two years since I lost my best friend. I try to really live, and to count my blessings.
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Bike To Fight. He is not only my dad he is also my best mate.
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My husband was diagnosed after repeatedly being fobbed off by the GP.
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No one deserves to die of Bowel Cancer. Everyone deserves time, dignity and hope.
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Our ambassador Jenny-May Clarkson shares how her brother's death from bowel cancer affected her family.
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My wife Dominique will always be remembered as a loving mother who gave everything of herself.
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My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at just 42 years old, on our youngest child’s birthday.
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Dad won't ever get to meet any grandchildren or walk my sister down the aisle.
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Patrick's daughter Rachel didn’t know anything about bowel cancer until it struck her family twice.
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Videos

Life was trucking along beautifully. I was 39, fit, healthy. Then I read a story about a woman’s diagnosis with bowel cancer. Read more:
Read more →
Jonny had always been fit and healthy. He ate well, exercises, and looks after himself.
Read more →
A couple of thousand dollars cost to personally fund a colonoscopy is a small price to pay for an early diagnosis. Read more here:
Read more →
I was fortunate that my GP was thorough and followed up on my test results.
Read more →
I was active and health conscious, and I turned to Dr Google when I thought my symptoms were down to food intolerances. Read more:
Read more →
Anna was fit and healthy and didn’t think she fitted the profile of a bowel cancer patient.
Read more →
Despite displaying all of the symptoms of bowel cancer, I was put in the box of “young, fit and healthy”.
Read more →
Our ambassador Jenny-May Clarkson shares how her brother's death from bowel cancer affected her family.
Read more →

Health professionals

'My advice is if you’re worried about your symptoms, even if they seem minor, see your GP'.
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Dr Anne Mathieson is a 36-year old GP and bowel cancer survivor - offering a unique perspective as a medical advisor.
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We’re all working to make sure that bowel cancer is something Kiwis can talk about.
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If you’re concerned about your doctor’s diagnosis, keep going back or get a second opinion.
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In the last 20 years, no new drugs have been approved in New Zealand specifically for bowel cancer.
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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.
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Hope

A massive stage 3 tumour was discovered with surgery 4 weeks later. If it wasn’t for my doctor...
Read more →
When I turned to flush I noticed something in my poop that looked like dark red lines...
Read more →
I was diagnosed at the age of 26, with stage 3B bowel cancer, while I was 28 weeks pregnant...
Read more →
[The Doctor] said I was so anemic she was surprised I was conscious and able to function... So began Bowel Cancer Act I...
Read more →
It’s a scary thing to be told you have Cancer. I was 44, owned a busy cafe, I was a Mum, and a Wife...
Read more →
I noticed blood intermittently for three weeks before going to the doctor.
Read more →
I personally think the biggest challenge in cancer is the mental battle, not the physical one.
Read more →
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.
Read more →