Personal stories of those affected by bowel cancer

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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 with Bowel Cancer back in 2016 when I was 36 years old. I'd been having mild symptoms

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

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer 4 years ago. What followed was a year long rollercoaster ride of

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I am 42 years old, with two kids (11 and 13) who very much still need their mum..."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"At 24 weeks pregnant I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer..."

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

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

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

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

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

Battling this cancer has been a struggle. I need unfunded drugs, I'm now trying to buy more time with my

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

"Being her eldest child, I struggled to see mum go through this and felt helpless due to not being able

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

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

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

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

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

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

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”.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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