Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

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

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

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

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

We really hope my journey can inspire others battling this dreaded disease to step out with a positive mindset.

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

“Please don’t ignore symptoms."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I should have seen my Dr about it a long time ago, but I was naive and thought it was

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

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

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

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

"...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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It was just absolutely devastating... It was just, ‘How can this be possible?’ I felt like the world had tipped

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I switched into how do I make this journey my journey.

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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."

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

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