Megan’s story

I was experiencing bowel cancer symptoms at 35, specifically blood and mucus in the stool for about two years prior to my diagnosis. I had seen three doctors in that time. Two of them passed it off as an infection.

I asked one of these doctors if there was a chance that my symptoms were due to cancer and they said, ‘There’s a reason they send us doctors to real medical school and not Google medical school.’

I live in regional NSW and getting in to see a doctor in the first place is a battle. So, I was quickly losing any inclination to keep fighting for a diagnosis. Particularly when I was getting mocked and brushed off.

I went to another town 125kms away and finally saw a doctor who listened to me. They organised a specialist referral, who organised a colonoscopy and finally a clear diagnosis of Stage 3 bowel cancer.

Unfortunately, it had spread to my ovaries and lymph nodes. I will forever wonder if an earlier diagnosis could have prevented the spread and eventual loss of my fertility.

I went through six rounds of chemo before surgery, followed by a final six rounds of chemo. I was given the fiercest, most aggressive chemo due to my age where I experienced unusual symptoms such loss of speech (almost like I’d had a stroke). It was by far, the most difficult physical and mental challenge I have ever faced and hope to face.

I am extremely lucky to have come out the other side with the support of my family and my friends. My treatments were a three hour round trip from my house, which would not have been possible without my army.

I now want to create awareness of this terrible disease with a particular focus on our young people in regional Australia.

My one piece of advice:

You are the expert in your journey.

Everyone has their own experiences with bowel cancer and you are the only person who knows your body, your mind and your sickness as intimately as you. While speaking to others can be comforting, do not compare or measure your progress against anyone else.