Bowel cancer stories  |  Share your story

Bowel cancer stories

Below are the real life stories and personal experiences of people who are living with or beyond bowel cancer.

You are welcome to share your personal experience - whether you are living with or beyond bowel cancer or as a loved one.

Bowel Cancer Australia promotes bowel cancer stories in the media, on our website, on social media and in our patient resources.

Stories highlight personal bowel cancer experiences, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms and can encourage and inspire others. Stories are also a valuable resource for other patients and loved ones, who often find it helpful to read about personal experiences of others who are living with or have been affected by bowel cancer. Occasionally, personal experiences contain content that some readers may find distressing.

Please complete the form below to share your story (and photo) with us.


All Stories
Kick Ass
Me, My Hair & Why
Never2Young
P2P Loved ones
P2P Patients
Helen and Beth T
3 July 2024
Helen and Beth T
Liza M, 36
3 July 2024
Liza M, 36
Jackson P
3 July 2024
Jackson P
Mellissah N
3 July 2024
Mellissah N
Amanda S
3 July 2024
Amanda S
Kylie B, 48
4 June 2024
Kylie B, 48
Lucas M
30 May 2024
Lucas M
Emma C
30 May 2024
Emma C
Angie A
30 May 2024
Angie A
Hayley W
30 May 2024
Hayley W
Jonathan O-N
30 May 2024
Jonathan O-N
Julien R
30 May 2024
Julien R
Melissa D, 32
16 May 2024
Melissa D, 32
Rosemary H, 36
2 May 2024
Rosemary H, 36
Andrew S, 36
14 April 2024
Andrew S, 36
Jemima H, 46
11 April 2024
Jemima H, 46
Elle H, 31
10 April 2024
Elle H, 31
Cherrie B
10 April 2024
Cherrie B
Gillian P, 46
10 April 2024
Gillian P, 46
Deborah S, 59
10 April 2024
Deborah S, 59
Matt C, 35
7 April 2024
Matt C, 35
Eliza K, 24
21 March 2024
Eliza K, 24
Marysia H
11 March 2024
Marysia H
Sarah B, 47
11 March 2024
Sarah B, 47
Kay U
7 March 2024
Kay U
Natalie P, 39
7 March 2024
Natalie P, 39
Toni M, 46
7 March 2024
Toni M, 46
Lauren B, 39
23 February 2024
Lauren B, 39
Belinda K, 41
23 February 2024
Belinda K, 41
Lucy H, 33
23 February 2024
Lucy H, 33
Rachael W
23 February 2024
Rachael W
Yvette A
12 February 2024
Yvette A
Sally P, 50
12 February 2024
Sally P, 50
Renee H, 33
12 February 2024
Renee H, 33
Rachael R, 37
12 February 2024
Rachael R, 37
Kellie L, 50
9 February 2024
Kellie L, 50
Emily Mc, 33
9 February 2024
Emily Mc, 33
Debbie H
9 February 2024
Debbie H
Corinne M, 40
9 February 2024
Corinne M, 40
Catherine K
9 February 2024
Catherine K
Anita H, 38
9 February 2024
Anita H, 38
Mike R, 38
25 January 2024
Mike R, 38
Sooz S, 45
22 December 2023
Sooz S, 45
Kimba B
22 December 2023
Kimba B
Stevi D
22 December 2023
Stevi D
Shae, 37
4 December 2023
Shae, 37
Rebecca J, 45
13 October 2023
Rebecca J, 45
Jules I, 40
12 October 2023
Jules I, 40
Kate I, 36
5 October 2023
Kate I, 36
Amanda C, 33
28 September 2023
Amanda C, 33
Tracey, Dad
27 September 2023
Tracey, Dad
Alan R
19 September 2023
Alan R
Samantha, Mum
5 September 2023
Samantha, Mum
Julie L, 49
13 August 2023
Julie L, 49
Jessica S, 37
24 July 2023
Jessica S, 37
Chris G, 38
24 July 2023
Chris G, 38
Emma F, 29
24 July 2023
Emma F, 29
Kris B, 33
10 July 2023
Kris B, 33
Dan H, 29
10 July 2023
Dan H, 29
Ange KV
10 July 2023
Ange KV
Brayden L, 27
9 July 2023
Brayden L, 27
Jacob U, 31
9 July 2023
Jacob U, 31
Lauren H, 39
30 June 2023
Lauren H, 39
Leia, 41
20 June 2023
Leia, 41
Bianca D
17 May 2023
Bianca D
Natalie H, 43
16 May 2023
Natalie H, 43
Melissa, 35
16 May 2023
Melissa, 35
Sarah A, sister 39
13 April 2023
Sarah A, sister 39
Hannah B, 32
13 April 2023
Hannah B, 32
Cale H, 29
13 April 2023
Cale H, 29
Brendan S
5 April 2023
Brendan S
Kylie, 45
30 March 2023
Kylie, 45
Anthony E, 39
26 March 2023
Anthony E, 39
Amy, 38
24 March 2023
Amy, 38
Natasha, 46
24 March 2023
Natasha, 46
Jeremy W, 34
24 March 2023
Jeremy W, 34
Robbie B
17 March 2023
Robbie B
Renee G, 25
17 March 2023
Renee G, 25
Tammie
17 March 2023
Tammie
Lara Jane
17 March 2023
Lara Jane
Marrianne, 49
17 March 2023
Marrianne, 49
Jess B
15 March 2023
Jess B
Dennielle
14 March 2023
Dennielle
Hayley, 36
14 March 2023
Hayley, 36
Jessica, 32
14 March 2023
Jessica, 32
Dijanna, 32
14 March 2023
Dijanna, 32
Elise, 36
14 March 2023
Elise, 36
Mandy G, 32
14 March 2023
Mandy G, 32
Marlene
14 March 2023
Marlene
Carmal, 34
14 March 2023
Carmal, 34
Luisa, 34
14 March 2023
Luisa, 34
Rachel L, 50
14 March 2023
Rachel L, 50
Suzy McG
14 March 2023
Suzy McG
Anne C, 49
14 March 2023
Anne C, 49
Bronwen, 39
14 March 2023
Bronwen, 39
Jenny D, 39
14 March 2023
Jenny D, 39
Elsje M, 29
14 March 2023
Elsje M, 29
Amanda C
14 March 2023
Amanda C
Leah T
14 March 2023
Leah T
Pat
14 March 2023
Pat
Maree
28 February 2023
Maree
Barabara G, 65
21 February 2023
Barabara G, 65
Alison B, 40
1 February 2023
Alison B, 40
Melissa, 40
31 January 2023
Melissa, 40
Danae
31 January 2023
Danae
Alana, 38
24 January 2023
Alana, 38
Anna, 41
17 January 2023
Anna, 41
Lauren F, 38
17 January 2023
Lauren F, 38
Darren A
4 January 2023
Darren A
Simon, 34
29 November 2022
Simon, 34
Nic S
17 October 2022
Nic S
Natalie M, 36
26 July 2022
Natalie M, 36
Rebecca C, 33
1 July 2022
Rebecca C, 33
Katie, Gran
27 June 2022
Katie, Gran
Christine, 29
17 June 2022
Christine, 29
Shauna, 30
17 June 2022
Shauna, 30
Fabian, 42
17 June 2022
Fabian, 42
Lucie, Husband 49
17 June 2022
Lucie, Husband 49
Zak A, 41
8 June 2022
Zak A, 41
Sophie, Mum 56
8 June 2022
Sophie, Mum 56
Terence B
8 June 2022
Terence B
Kathleen, 33
24 May 2022
Kathleen, 33
Natalie G, 44
24 May 2022
Natalie G, 44
Steve P, 48
5 May 2022
Steve P, 48
Danielle P, 40
21 April 2022
Danielle P, 40
Kim M, 45
13 April 2022
Kim M, 45
Jo B, 40
13 April 2022
Jo B, 40
Claire Mc
13 April 2022
Claire Mc
Robyn C, 50
13 April 2022
Robyn C, 50
Chrissy
1 April 2022
Chrissy
Liz, 29
25 March 2022
Liz, 29
Jessica H, 16
25 March 2022
Jessica H, 16
Aline, 38
24 March 2022
Aline, 38
Emma R, 31
24 March 2022
Emma R, 31
Neva I
24 March 2022
Neva I
 Gillian G
22 March 2022
Gillian G
Donna M
22 March 2022
Donna M
Chrissie, 38
21 March 2022
Chrissie, 38
Lana, 36
21 March 2022
Lana, 36
Mindy
21 March 2022
Mindy
Michèle
21 March 2022
Michèle
Mallorie, 32
10 March 2022
Mallorie, 32
Jess H
3 March 2022
Jess H
Kathryn, 39
3 March 2022
Kathryn, 39
Alona
3 March 2022
Alona
Hope
3 March 2022
Hope
Leesa, 35
3 March 2022
Leesa, 35
Claudia
3 March 2022
Claudia
Claire, 30
3 March 2022
Claire, 30
Deborah
2 March 2022
Deborah
Jacqueline, 35
2 March 2022
Jacqueline, 35
Lisa K
2 March 2022
Lisa K
Don M
1 March 2022
Don M
Emily B
21 February 2022
Emily B
Sophie B, 35
18 February 2022
Sophie B, 35
Ellen J, 35
18 February 2022
Ellen J, 35
Jessica P, Husband 35
18 February 2022
Jessica P, Husband 35
Karen K, 45
18 February 2022
Karen K, 45
Jessica H, 38
10 February 2022
Jessica H, 38
Jane, Husband 42
10 February 2022
Jane, Husband 42
Vincent, 43
10 February 2022
Vincent, 43
Chantel S, 39
12 January 2022
Chantel S, 39
Kate, 35
11 November 2021
Kate, 35
Kylie, 51
11 November 2021
Kylie, 51
Karen, 54
4 November 2021
Karen, 54
Francesca, 38
4 November 2021
Francesca, 38
Kate L, 29
12 October 2021
Kate L, 29
Rob J, 43
9 August 2021
Rob J, 43
Adam C, 36
26 July 2021
Adam C, 36
Ella R, 28
14 July 2021
Ella R, 28
Holly B, 26
14 July 2021
Holly B, 26
Amber A, 40
13 July 2021
Amber A, 40
Tania S, 34
8 July 2021
Tania S, 34
Dimity D, 28
8 July 2021
Dimity D, 28
Taegan G, 34
8 July 2021
Taegan G, 34
Courtney, Mum
8 July 2021
Courtney, Mum
Jody H, 28
23 June 2021
Jody H, 28
Susana A, 38
23 June 2021
Susana A, 38
Georgina W, 37
21 June 2021
Georgina W, 37
Nyree, Daughter 34
14 June 2021
Nyree, Daughter 34
Taylor K, 27
10 June 2021
Taylor K, 27
John P, 60
8 June 2021
John P, 60
Laurie, Son 41
9 April 2021
Laurie, Son 41
Mandy W
25 March 2021
Mandy W
Crystal
25 March 2021
Crystal
Chantelle
25 March 2021
Chantelle
Tina F
23 March 2021
Tina F
Diane B
11 March 2021
Diane B
Anita G
10 March 2021
Anita G
Jade, 35
9 March 2021
Jade, 35
Mark, 45
9 March 2021
Mark, 45
Sandra H
3 March 2021
Sandra H
Susan McD
3 March 2021
Susan McD
Kaitlin T
3 March 2021
Kaitlin T
Emma E, 26
3 March 2021
Emma E, 26
Hayley B
3 March 2021
Hayley B
Tiarna S
3 March 2021
Tiarna S
Chloe G, 33
1 March 2021
Chloe G, 33
Jorgia, Mum 62
5 February 2021
Jorgia, Mum 62
Paul, 46
4 February 2021
Paul, 46
Renee H, 33
28 January 2021
Renee H, 33
Sam, 29
21 January 2021
Sam, 29
Michael S
15 December 2020
Michael S
Belinda, 48
25 November 2020
Belinda, 48
Cassandra, 34
19 November 2020
Cassandra, 34
Brett, 46
27 October 2020
Brett, 46
Bryan, Wife 74
12 October 2020
Bryan, Wife 74
Chris W, Daughter 33
30 September 2020
Chris W, Daughter 33
Bethany W, Father 50
30 September 2020
Bethany W, Father 50
Rachel H
30 September 2020
Rachel H
Natusha, 37
24 August 2020
Natusha, 37
Lauren Mc, 28
5 August 2020
Lauren Mc, 28
Courtney C, 32
23 July 2020
Courtney C, 32
Steven, 39
20 July 2020
Steven, 39
Kristian, 29
17 July 2020
Kristian, 29
Margaret, Daughter 35
10 July 2020
Margaret, Daughter 35
Pe, 38
9 July 2020
Pe, 38
April, 36
8 July 2020
April, 36
Diana H, Sister 35
8 July 2020
Diana H, Sister 35
Dannielle B, 28
24 June 2020
Dannielle B, 28
Simone Mc, 29
24 June 2020
Simone Mc, 29
Lynn L, Husband 74
24 June 2020
Lynn L, Husband 74
Cyndi, 55
24 June 2020
Cyndi, 55
Joel S, 36
23 June 2020
Joel S, 36
Cassie B, 38
23 June 2020
Cassie B, 38
Julie G, Daughter 31
23 June 2020
Julie G, Daughter 31
David F, 54
11 June 2020
David F, 54
Gemma F, 35
27 May 2020
Gemma F, 35
Tassja P, 46
11 May 2020
Tassja P, 46
Danielle B, 47
11 May 2020
Danielle B, 47
Emma B, 28
11 May 2020
Emma B, 28
Mark L, 34
5 May 2020
Mark L, 34
Jay K, 38
5 May 2020
Jay K, 38
Sara A, 32
4 May 2020
Sara A, 32
Kathryn W
11 March 2020
Kathryn W
Corinne D
11 March 2020
Corinne D
Melody C
11 March 2020
Melody C
Neril D
11 March 2020
Neril D
Rosie, Sister 28
5 March 2020
Rosie, Sister 28
Anita J
4 March 2020
Anita J
Margaret M
3 March 2020
Margaret M
Jeanne H
3 March 2020
Jeanne H
Emma G
26 February 2020
Emma G
Elizabeth E
25 February 2020
Elizabeth E
Christina A
24 February 2020
Christina A
Ross T
31 December 2019
Ross T
Marty
12 November 2019
Marty
Josh D
12 November 2019
Josh D
Gavin
12 November 2019
Gavin
Luke
12 November 2019
Luke
Sam F
12 November 2019
Sam F
Dean
12 November 2019
Dean
James Ba
12 November 2019
James Ba
Jack and Elizabeth
12 November 2019
Jack and Elizabeth
Kieran
12 November 2019
Kieran
Nathan T
12 November 2019
Nathan T
Keith
12 November 2019
Keith
Chris Br
12 November 2019
Chris Br
Dean P
12 November 2019
Dean P
Ian P
12 November 2019
Ian P
Naomi and Ian
12 November 2019
Naomi and Ian
Julie M, husband 65
23 October 2019
Julie M, husband 65
Jackson Mc, 26
23 October 2019
Jackson Mc, 26
Jessica K, 34
22 October 2019
Jessica K, 34
Chris G, 41
21 October 2019
Chris G, 41
Donna H, 43
26 June 2019
Donna H, 43
Renee P, 38
26 June 2019
Renee P, 38
Loretta Mc, 33
26 June 2019
Loretta Mc, 33
Dani D, 36
26 June 2019
Dani D, 36
Kristi & Danielle, brother 27
26 June 2019
Kristi & Danielle, brother 27
Felicity M, 44
26 June 2019
Felicity M, 44
Kathryn H, 35
26 June 2019
Kathryn H, 35
Stacey, husband 36
26 June 2019
Stacey, husband 36
Rebecca R, 43
25 June 2019
Rebecca R, 43
James Bo, 30
25 June 2019
James Bo, 30
Holly H, 31
25 June 2019
Holly H, 31
Nicholas C, 31
25 June 2019
Nicholas C, 31
Malcolm L, 66
21 June 2019
Malcolm L, 66
Tabatha B, 39
6 June 2019
Tabatha B, 39
Sonia, Husband 44
6 June 2019
Sonia, Husband 44
Anthony S, 35
6 June 2019
Anthony S, 35
Cameron SH, 35
4 June 2019
Cameron SH, 35
Marisa R, 31
3 June 2019
Marisa R, 31
Brad Mc, 32
3 June 2019
Brad Mc, 32
Zach G, 21
20 May 2019
Zach G, 21
Joanne P, 37
20 May 2019
Joanne P, 37
Sandra, brother 43
20 May 2019
Sandra, brother 43
Miles
5 April 2019
Miles
Angelica A, 38
5 April 2019
Angelica A, 38
Michele M
13 March 2019
Michele M
Bianca H
13 March 2019
Bianca H
Danielle W
13 March 2019
Danielle W
Felicity M
13 March 2019
Felicity M
Keely M
13 March 2019
Keely M
Kym B
13 March 2019
Kym B
Leah W
13 March 2019
Leah W
Lisa A
13 March 2019
Lisa A
Loreley S
13 March 2019
Loreley S
Maureen W
13 March 2019
Maureen W
Sally R
13 March 2019
Sally R
Shantelle D
13 March 2019
Shantelle D
Rhiana T
13 March 2019
Rhiana T
Stephanie K
13 March 2019
Stephanie K
Jessie D
12 March 2019
Jessie D
Sue, mother 56
12 March 2019
Sue, mother 56
Joanne L
12 March 2019
Joanne L
Kerry K
12 March 2019
Kerry K
Christine G
7 March 2019
Christine G
Kay W
7 March 2019
Kay W
Kelly M
7 March 2019
Kelly M
Sarah St
6 March 2019
Sarah St
Kim F
6 March 2019
Kim F
Shannon L
6 March 2019
Shannon L
Sally K
6 March 2019
Sally K
Helen D
6 March 2019
Helen D
Dahlia M
6 March 2019
Dahlia M
Chantelle M
6 March 2019
Chantelle M
Shannon RB
5 March 2019
Shannon RB
Loretta M
25 February 2019
Loretta M
Michelle, sister 45
25 February 2019
Michelle, sister 45
Nat H
25 February 2019
Nat H
Rebecca G
25 February 2019
Rebecca G
Sarah H
25 February 2019
Sarah H
Sherryn D
25 February 2019
Sherryn D
Steph M
25 February 2019
Steph M
Shelley B
25 February 2019
Shelley B
Ainslie M
25 February 2019
Ainslie M
Benita S
25 February 2019
Benita S
Bridget B
25 February 2019
Bridget B
Emily, sister 29
25 February 2019
Emily, sister 29
Emma S
25 February 2019
Emma S
Fiona T
25 February 2019
Fiona T
Kat G
25 February 2019
Kat G
Peter I, 28
17 January 2019
Peter I, 28
John M, 73
16 January 2019
John M, 73
Angel DB, 36
5 June 2018
Angel DB, 36
Erin D
1 May 2018
Erin D
Sandra C
21 March 2018
Sandra C
Christina R
21 March 2018
Christina R
Kylie A
21 March 2018
Kylie A
Lizzy S
7 March 2018
Lizzy S
Tanya B
1 February 2018
Tanya B
Sarah C
1 February 2018
Sarah C
Melissa K
1 February 2018
Melissa K
Megan B
1 February 2018
Megan B
Jaime H
1 February 2018
Jaime H
Maureen D
1 February 2018
Maureen D
Linda C
1 February 2018
Linda C
Tamara H-D
1 February 2018
Tamara H-D
Alexandra C
1 February 2018
Alexandra C
Lesley F
1 February 2018
Lesley F
Gemma B
1 February 2018
Gemma B
Wendy R
1 February 2018
Wendy R
Hollie F
1 February 2018
Hollie F
Barbara T
1 February 2018
Barbara T
Tracy C, daughter 21
1 February 2018
Tracy C, daughter 21
Sarah S
1 February 2018
Sarah S
Brad M, 39
1 February 2018
Brad M, 39
Anita B, brother 39
27 November 2017
Anita B, brother 39
Anna F, 29
14 August 2017
Anna F, 29
Mallory K, 29
14 August 2017
Mallory K, 29
Talya G, 21
14 August 2017
Talya G, 21
John C, 50
14 August 2017
John C, 50
Geoff K, 33
25 April 2017
Geoff K, 33
Ros Mc, 54
19 April 2017
Ros Mc, 54
Jamie R, 40
12 March 2017
Jamie R, 40
Ally P, 28
12 March 2017
Ally P, 28
Mark P, 51
19 February 2017
Mark P, 51
Leah E, 31
24 January 2017
Leah E, 31
Leah M, 41
24 January 2017
Leah M, 41
Tom K
4 November 2016
Tom K
Felicity
4 November 2016
Felicity
Andrew C
4 November 2016
Andrew C
Wayne
4 November 2016
Wayne
Ashleigh
4 November 2016
Ashleigh
Daniel H
4 November 2016
Daniel H
Beards for Daniel
4 November 2016
Beards for Daniel
Anthony
4 November 2016
Anthony
Sam I
4 November 2016
Sam I
Jocelyn W
4 November 2016
Jocelyn W
Dave P
4 November 2016
Dave P
Jamie
4 November 2016
Jamie
Robert
4 November 2016
Robert
Grant M
4 November 2016
Grant M
Michael
4 November 2016
Michael
Grant R
4 November 2016
Grant R
Ryan
4 November 2016
Ryan
David
4 November 2016
David
Colin
4 November 2016
Colin
Damien S, 26
4 November 2016
Damien S, 26
Mark
4 November 2016
Mark
Julie T, 40
4 November 2016
Julie T, 40
Chad Townsend
4 November 2016
Chad Townsend
Josh Mansour
4 November 2016
Josh Mansour
Chris Heighington
4 November 2016
Chris Heighington
Michelle
4 November 2016
Michelle
Carlos
4 November 2016
Carlos
Anthony O'C
4 November 2016
Anthony O'C
John and Julie
4 November 2016
John and Julie
Adam H
4 November 2016
Adam H
Bryan M
3 November 2016
Bryan M
 

 

Share Your Story

Share your story or offer advice to others 
 
Every real life story is unique and powerful in its own way, and we really appreciate your willingness to share your personal experience. Following are some points to consider when writing your real life story -
  • Details of your diagnosis
    e.g. What age were you? What stage was the bowel cancer when diagnosed? How had you been feeling prior to diagnosis? Did you experience any symptoms? What prompted you to make an appointment to see a GP? What tests and investigations did you undergo?
  • What treatment did you receive and how did you feel during your treatment?
    e.g. What treatment did you receive - surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy? Were biomarker tests, precision medicines/immunotherapies discussed? Did you experience any side effects? Anything in particular you found helped you during this time?

  • How are things now?
    e.g. Are you still undergoing treatment? Have you completed treatment, are you in remission?

  • Were there any particular positive or negative impacts on your life due that you did not anticipate?

  • Is there anything you wish you knew at the time of your bowel cancer diagnosis? 
    e.g. Something you believe could have helped you during your experience that you know now and would like to share with others?

  • Do you have any advice for others following your personal bowel cancer experience?

  • Is there any other relative information you would like to add?

Please remember not to include the names of any medical/nursing staff or hospitals.

Please note, we require a high resolution landscape image taken on a smartphone to accompany your story.