I turned 29 on the 9th of August 2024 and was diagnosed with bowel cancer eleven days later on the 20th of August 2024.

In hindsight I definitely think there were signs, but at the time, I really never thought ‘bowel cancer’. I had extremely painful bowel movements sometimes, to the point it would bring me to tears and on other occasions there was blood in the bowl.

I also had a dull ache on the left-hand side of my abdomen, and I do have endometriosis, so I linked it to that, as endometriosis had been on my bowel in my operation in 2021. When I had gone to the GP about the blood in the toilet bowl, they said it was haemorrhoids as I was ‘obviously straining too hard’.

After seeing two different GP’s and one gastroenterologist not seeing the referral as urgent, I was triaged for a colonoscopy in 4 weeks. I’m a naturally impatient person so I went back and got another referral to a different gastroenterologist who saw me that night – told me I was ‘too young for it to be bowel cancer’ and then had a colonoscopy a week later. Waking up from that procedure, I was told I had a 5cm tumour that couldn’t be transversed and it was likely malignant.

I underwent a 3 month CAPOX treatment cycle. However, on my third cycle my platelets dropped so low I needed a transfusion, so it was discontinued as it was too dangerous to continue with the oxy and I am now on a further 3 months of oral chemo. Taking my entire treatment cycle to 6 months instead of 3.

Facing a diagnosis so young has completely changed the trajectory of my life. My treatment journey has been a mix of physical challenges and emotional growth, with the occasional bad day mixed in there. Chemotherapy brought side effects like fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite, but the mental battle with anxiety has been substantially more significant.

Facing uncertainty about my health and the future has taught me resilience and self-advocacy and I’ve found that leaning on my support network, staying busy, and focusing on each small milestone and taking it day by day has helped immensely. While the process is tough, I’ve learned to appreciate good days more deeply and to be much kinder to myself along the way.

My message now to everyone is don’t ignore your symptoms, even if they seem minor. Early detection is key, and a proactive approach to health can make all the difference. Bowel cancer affects people of all ages, so it’s important to advocate for yourself if something doesn’t feel right. Also, stay informed but balanced knowledge is empowering, but it’s equally important to focus on what you can control and prioritise your mental and physical wellbeing where you can. You’re not alone in this, and every step forward is progress. You are never too young for bowel cancer.