Danni Duncan was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 39.

“I’d been feeling unusually fatigued – I struggled through runs and workouts, felt dizzy, and experienced some unusual bloating.”

Danni pushed for answers. A colonoscopy revealed a tumour.

She underwent a right hemi-colectomy, removing 25cm of her bowel, followed by 4 rounds of CAPOX chemotherapy.

“The surgery went smoothly. They removed the tumour as well as 17 lymph nodes. There were a few days of bleeding post-op, but that was sorted out.”

Apart from some bloating, tenderness and a low-fibre diet, her recovery has been smooth. Danni started working out 10 days post-op and ran 2 weeks after.

“I have an infusion at the hospital for 3 hours on day one, then have tablets for 14 days, then a week off and we go again. I feel fine. Great almost. I’ve trained every day. I think exercise is the biggest thing here. If you’re fit going into it with a good mindset and don’t let it stop you – just listen to your body – you’ll be fine.  Some cold sensitivity and peripheral neuropathy – which is mild and managed. I’m good.”

Danni’s advice?

“Listen to your body. Get checked. Advocate for yourself. This is no longer an old person’s disease. Get fit as well. If I wasn’t as fit as I was, I probably would’ve missed the signs. Any change in bowel habits, bloating, unusual fatigue, anything odd for you – you should be worried. And if your doctor isn’t listening, get a second opinion. Get a bowel screening kit and advocate for yourself.”

Through her diagnosis, surgeries and treatment, Danni has been a passionate voice for early detection and awareness. She shares her story to help others understand that bowel cancer doesn’t discriminate by age and that screening and listening to your body can save lives.