- Persistent abdominal pain and cramping
- Unexplained fatigue, which she attributed to being a “busy mom”
- Irregular bowel movements that she thought were due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Night sweats, which she blamed on the warm Australian weather
- Occasional bloating and discomfort after meals
None of these felt like a medical emergency at the time. But together, they painted a dangerous picture.
As Krystal later shared, “Never in a million years did I think that I would have something this cruel in my body. Cancer hurts — literally.”
A Mother’s Final Message
She set up a GoFundMe page to help support her young son, Maison, and to raise awareness about the disease that took her life far too soon.
“I ignored the pain because I thought I was too young and too healthy,” she said. “Please, don’t do the same. Listen to your body. Don’t wait.”
Bowel Cancer: What to Watch For
While bowel cancer is often associated with older adults, doctors are seeing a concerning rise in younger, health-conscious individuals being diagnosed — people who exercise, eat well, and don’t fit the “typical” risk profile.
According to the NHS, common symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- Ongoing changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum
- A constant feeling of needing to pass stool, even after going to the toilet
- Persistent abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping
- A noticeable lump or swelling in the abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue or low energy for no clear reason
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