I was diagnosed with stage 3b bowel cancer at 35 years old. I had a 2-year-old daughter.

I felt exhausted all the time and was experiencing stomach pains after eating. I went to the doctor and was told I had food intolerances.

The pain continued despite trying to omit certain foods. It got to the point where my stomach was always hurting. I finally decided to try another doctor. She immediately sent me for a colonoscopy. I woke up from the colonoscopy and was told it was cancer.

I had emergency surgery and six months of chemotherapy.

It has been six years now and I am still cancer free. I get regular check-ups and live a healthy, happy life.

I wish that I had pushed for more answers and not have just let myself live with the pain for so long. I also had very low iron and I now know this was another major sign that shouldn’t have been ignored.