What cancer were you diagnosed with?

Stage 3, Grade 3 Bowel cancer

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What age were you diagnosed?

36

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What has helped you to thrive?

Two dreams are keeping me going. 1: I am determined to run another half marathon PB to raise money for and awareness of bowel cancer as soon as I am well enough post treatment. I want to show people that bowel cancer can affect anyone - regardless of age, size, shape and fitness level. Thinking about that gets me up and going when I am feeling well.

2: Having cancer has made me realise that you never know what is around the corner - I finally feel ready to start my own family and change my focus. Thinking about that makes it easier to keep going on the tough days.

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Susannah's Story

On September 28th 2019, a 5.5cm tumour was found in my large intestine. Following a hemicolectomy I was officially diagnosed with Stage 3, Grade 3 Bowel cancer.

I was 36 and running 30 miles a week. I weighed 9 stone, didn’t smoke and always got in my 5-a-day (at least). Junk food was definitely not a common item on my menu.

I first went to the doctor with IBS-type symptoms when I was about 18. I went back again in 2017. My cancer wasn’t discovered for another 2 years.

So, I believe we need to talk about poo a lot more, so that people like me get a diagnosis much earlier. My life has been changed beyond my imaginings already and I’m only part-way through my treatment. And although it’s frustrating to know that this could have been intercepted much earlier, perhaps before even surgery was required let alone chemo, I am going to use this experience positively, to fight for change and make the most of every day – some of which I hope to share with you along the way in my blog Letstalkaboutpoo.com.