For more than a year I had experienced a change in bowel habits and discomfort, but after several visits to the doctor they still hadn’t recommended a colonoscopy even though I had a family history of bowel cancer, losing both my grandad and uncle at early ages.
Eventually I was referred to a specialist. I was diagnosed with stage II bowel cancer in May 1997 …. I was only 25 years old. Two days later a large section of my bowel was removed plus another smaller section which was looking a bit suspicious.
I now have regular colonoscopy checks and can’t recommend this enough to anyone having similar problems. Early diagnosis is critical and patients do seem to be getting younger.
I am now a proud mother to two beautiful children and certainly make the most of life.