Bowel cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, is a serious condition that affects the large intestine and rectum.
Early detection is critical, as it significantly improves survival rates. Yet, for many, including Susan, the symptoms are subtle, often mistaken for other conditions, or dismissed altogether.
“That’s part of the problem with bowel cancer. People don’t raise the alarm early enough.”
Susan’s experience highlights how societal discomfort around discussing bowel health can have dangerous consequences.
From fatigue and constipation to abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, the early signs are often overlooked because they can be mistaken for minor or everyday health issues.
The Early Signs She Ignored
Before her diagnosis, Susan experienced a combination of fatigue, constipation, and intense abdominal pain.
Despite these warning signs, she did not notice blood in her stool—a symptom often associated with bowel cancer—which made it even easier to dismiss her discomfort.
The first noticeable symptom was relentless tiredness, which started about four months before her diagnosis. Susan, a physiotherapist by profession, initially attributed her fatigue to early menopause.
“I’d drive my daughter 15 minutes to her rowing practice, then have to stop on the way home and nap for 40 minutes,” she recalled.
“That’s not normal. That was a warning sign, but I brushed it off.”
I blamed it on the rich food, too much cheese, too much indulgence,” she said. “I didn’t think much of it.”
Upon returning to Brisbane, Susan’s symptoms escalated dramatically.
“I ended up on the bathroom floor in absolute agony. Vomiting, diarrhoea, unbearable pain. It lasted for eight hours,” she recalled.
At first, she suspected she had contracted salmonella from her horse. But the intensity of the pain was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
“It was worse than childbirth,” Susan explained. “I was crawling into the shower, trying to relieve the pain with heat. It was a nine out of ten on the pain scale.”
Seeking Answers
Despite the severity of her symptoms, initial medical consultations did not reveal the underlying cause.
Blood and stool tests appeared normal, and doctors initially suggested her discomfort might be related to stress, dietary habits, or hormonal changes associated with menopause.
