My story starts when I turned 50 and got my bowel cancer kit in the mail in early 2023. I completed it straight away and it came back I had to have a colonoscopy.

I had no unusual symptoms or bowel movements. I thought, no worries, I will just go and have some polyps removed and be on my way. My doctor woke me up to tell me the news he had found cancer in my bowel. Still groggy from the anaesthetic I went into immediate shock.

From there started a whirlwind of scans and doctors’ visits. I had Stage 2 cancer in the rectum approx. 4cm in length and it had also gone into a couple of lymph nodes.

I was entered into the RENO trial, which is rectal cancer no operation, which was still the standard way they treated my form of cancer. I was assured that it was not an experimental trial.

I started radiation treatment immediately and that went for five weeks, followed up soon after by six rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks. Luckily, I had no side effects from the radiation and the effects of chemo were the usual tiredness and pins and needles in my hands and feet and didn’t like the cold at all.

I completed my treatment in December and had final scans and scopes in January.

I am happy to say my body had a complete response to treatment and the cancer has gone!! I am on a watch and wait list and have checks every three months to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back.

I found during the treatment the process with all the doctors and nurses was amazing, they looked after you so well. It was still a very daunting time and even though I had support from friends and family, I didn’t expect to feel alone as well. I guess that is why people say it is a personal journey. I found it really helpful to have faith in the powers that be and be as positive as you can. That is what helped me stay strong all the way through.

I wish somehow there was a way the government could start testing at a younger age, maybe 40.

I also am hopeful that the diagnosis stage can one day be detected via a blood test. It truly is amazing how well research can come along with the help from people that volunteer for trials. I am so happy that I did my at home test as it has saved my life, literally.

My one piece of advice for others:

Make sure you do the tests that are required that the government send to check for cancers etc. Also check your poo regularly, it something isn’t right, go and see your doctor. Listen to your body and make sure you follow up any signs of pain you may have in your abdomen area.