Support Anna to dance through February in aid of cancer research

My Story

This February, I’m taking on the Bowel Babe Fund Challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK. I’ll be dancing for 20 minutes, every single day, for the whole month. I’m doing this for a very personal reason. Last year, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. It began with something I almost dismissed – blood in my poo. I assumed it was haemorrhoids, but something didn’t feel quite right, so I went to my GP. That decision changed everything. A positive FIT test, followed by an exploratory colonoscopy revealed cancerous polyps. Because it was caught early, things moved quickly – and I am profoundly grateful for that. My treatment was dramatic and brutal. I had a panproctocolectomy: my colon, rectum and anus were removed. I now live with a permanent ileostomy and what’s affectionately known as a “Barbie butt”. It was life-altering surgery. It was physically and emotionally immense. And it also saved my life. The operation removed all of my cancer. I didn’t need chemotherapy or further treatment. Today, I am cancer-free. I’ve adapted well to life with a stoma. I live fully. I eat almost anything I like. I’m active. I laugh. I work. I love. I dance. I am here because I listened to my body and asked for help. This challenge is inspired by the incredible Dame Deborah James – founder of the Bowel Babe Fund– who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 35. Through her courage, honesty and determination, she changed the conversation around this disease and saved countless lives by encouraging people to get checked. In the UK, routine bowel cancer screening using the FIT test is only available to those aged 50-74. Yet bowel cancer is on the rise and increasingly affecting younger people. This threshold needs to be lowered. If you are eligible, please make sure you complete your bi-annual FIT test. And if you’re worried, you can request one through your GP whatever your age. You do not have to wait. Bowel cancer is not an old person’s disease. It does not only affect people with unhealthy diets or lifestyles. It can affect anyone. I’m sharing my story not for sympathy, but for awareness. Bowel cancer doesn’t always arrive with dramatic symptoms. Sometimes it whispers before it shouts. If something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked. It might just save your life. By sponsoring me, you’re helping Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK. Please show your support and help fund cutting-edge research by donating to my page. You’re also helping to start conversations that could protect someone you love. Thank you for being part of this with me. Anna x

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