Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

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

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

“If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts – keep pushing until you get answers.”

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

"...As a survivor I honestly feel it is one of the best things that has happened to me..."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I was 34 with two very young daughters when I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer, after intense stomach

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

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

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

“Please don’t ignore symptoms."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It started as any other year, that was until things got real. As far as it’s my story it’s really

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

"In Feb this year, I enjoyed walking 73.5kms of the Queen Charlotte Track. In April, I got a shock diagnosis

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

My story is a recollection of my cancer journey which is raw, thought provoking, distressing, educational and yet humorous.

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

Back from the brink. Get checked at the first miniscule inkling that something may be amiss.

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

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

There is a history of bowel cancer in my family; my mother having died at 48 and my brother having

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

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

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

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

I had noticed blood in my stool and went to doctor who referred me for colonoscopy, I had cancer, it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"In ED we were told my wife has bowel cancer that had spread to the liver, and it didn’t look

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

Ryan was only 22 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer, being told “you are far too young”.

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

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

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

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'.

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

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

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

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

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