In September 2014 I was in hospital for bowel cancer surgery. Five years later, I am cancer free and am taking part in the Great North Run.
Too many people die each year from bowel cancer that is detected too late. In my case, although the cancer has been treated successfully, the treatment has left me with chronic side effects that are hard to manage.
I was lucky as I was too young for screening, and I waited a year before seeing my GP. We need to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and the importance of early detection. We need to change attitudes so that it is more acceptable to talk about poo.
I am pleased to have survived cancer, but more research is needed to improve treatment techniques and reduce the occurrence of the side effects that I experience.
Donate to my page today and help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
