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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)

Kalou

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

Rob

"It is what it is."

Dr Mathieson

Anne is a GP, mother and she was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 34-years-old.

Meghan

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

Lara

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

Abbie

When someone says life is too short, treat every day like it’s your last. Maybe we should.

Marcel

To put it into perspective, a month after visiting my G.P, I was being discharged from hospital.

Chelsea

Life was trucking along beautifully in August 2015. I’d established my own business.

Jonny

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

Britt

I found out in the middle of December 2017 I have stage 4 bowel cancer.

Anaru

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

Kathy

I wish there was more awareness of how bowel cancer affects younger people.

Anna

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

Solon

Working in construction and putting in long hours I put a lot of my symptoms down to my occupation.

Sarah

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

Jenny

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

Fiona

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

Katherine

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

Brad

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

Aaron

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

Bart

Bart’s is an encouraging story of the benefits of acting on the first signs of bowel cancer.

Nadine

Diagnosed at 45, Nadine shares how events and decision making shaped her bowel cancer experience.

Suzanne

Kia Ora my name is Suzanne. I was diagnosed at 46 with Bowel Cancer in October 2006.

Jewel

Hi my name is Jewel Brown and last year at the age of 30 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer.

Renee

In April 2016 Renee underwent surgery to remove a tumour from her bowel.

Stefan

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

Anita

My story with bowel cancer started when my Nana died from it when I was a young girl.

Jason

The C Word comes in many forms, but manifests itself most shockingly in real life not on film, music or TV.

Karen

Even though I only had 40% chance of surviving, I thought those were pretty good odds.

Kim

I take life a day at a time and make it my priority to find joy every day.

Lisa

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

Robyn

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

Judy

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

Ron

Ron was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 50 and had no symptoms despite a family history.

Peter

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

Nell

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

John

John had turned 67, retired and was happily setting up a small part time financial advisory service.

Alan

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

Patrick

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

Reanne

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

Samantha

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

Jenny-May

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

Richard

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

Turid

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

Cody

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

Patrick

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

Chelsea

Life was trucking along beautifully in August 2015. I’d established my own business.

Jonny

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

Britt

I found out in the middle of December 2017 I have stage 4 bowel cancer.

Anaru

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

Kathy

I wish there was more awareness of how bowel cancer affects younger people.

Anna

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

Jenny

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

Jenny-May

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

Dr Paddy Bhula

Paddy describes bowel cancer symptoms and urges us to see our GP to discuss such symptoms.

Bart

Bart’s is an encouraging story of the benefits of acting on the first signs of bowel cancer.

Ron

Ron was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 50 and had no symptoms despite a family history.

Nadine

Diagnosed at 45, Nadine shares how events and decision making shaped her bowel cancer experience.

Victoria – Nurse

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

Dr Mathieson

Anne is a GP, mother and she was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 34-years-old.

Dr Patrick

We’re all working to make sure that bowel cancer is something Kiwis can talk about.

Dr Sue Crengle

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

Dr Damianovich

In the last 20 years, no new drugs have been approved in New Zealand specifically for bowel cancer.

Professor Frizelle

Only 10% of bowel cancer is inherited, so the way you live does have an impact.

Dr Paddy Bhula

Paddy describes bowel cancer symptoms and urges us to see our GP to discuss such symptoms.

Katherine

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

Brad

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

Karen

Even though I only had 40% chance of surviving, I thought those were pretty good odds.

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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)

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