Danielle F’s story

In March 2025, I turned the wonderful age of 50. It was a year filled with joy — celebrations with family and friends, travel, and a deep sense of gratitude for life. Not long after my birthday, a bowel screening kit arrived in the mail. Like many people, I put it to one side. It sat there for six to seven months, untouched.

It wasn’t until a conversation with a friend that I was encouraged to complete it. She explained how simple the test was and how important it is to prioritise our health — particularly as women navigating peri menopause and menopause. That conversation stayed with me, and I finally did the test. The result came back as a positive FOBT.

My GP was wonderful. She reassured me that a positive result does not automatically mean cancer, and given that I had no symptoms — no weight loss, no blood in my stool, no pain or discomfort — and no family history of cancer, there was little cause for concern. Still, we booked a colonoscopy for mid December, knowing it was the right next step.

After the procedure, the specialist was very positive. She explained that she had found and removed a single polyp in the lower part of my bowel, which would be sent to pathology. Given my age, health, and overall fitness, she felt confident there was nothing to worry about. Then, between Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 — when most people were on holidays — my specialist called and asked me to come in that same day. My stomach dropped. I sensed this wasn’t routine, but I tried not to jump to conclusions.

Within just five weeks, I had four procedures. Only two weeks after my diagnosis, I underwent a lower bowel resection, with around 20% removed. My surgeon has been absolutely incredible. Due to the location of the resection, there was a high risk of needing a colostomy bag, but thankfully this was avoided. My recovery was good and manageable, made possible by incredible family and friends support. I am now learning what my “new normal” looks like — particularly over the next 12 months — as my body continues to adjust.

One week after surgery, I received unexpected news. A small tumour had been found outside the bowel wall, adjacent to the lymph nodes. That moment was surreal — an out of body experience. Like many people, I had always associated cancer with feeling unwell or having clear warning signs. That simply wasn’t my reality.
I was referred to an oncologist and diagnosed with Stage 3A and commenced treatment. I have now completed my third round of chemotherapy, out of twelve planned cycles. Each round has been different. The second brought more side effects, and my white blood cell count dropped significantly — just enough to allow me to proceed with round three, with a reduced dose of Oxaliplatin to help manage neuropathy.

Looking back, there may have been these subtle signs I had dismissed. Over the months prior, I experienced increased bloating — something I had always associated with ovulation. I also developed more age spots on my arms and legs, which I attributed to turning 50. In September, I experienced two sudden episodes of severe vomiting and diarrhoea within three weeks. Even then, nothing clearly pointed to cancer.

Throughout this journey, learning has become a powerful part of our coping. My husband has been my constant wingman at every treatment. He is deeply inquisitive, always wanting to understand how and why each drug works, what it is doing in my body, and how it supports my recovery. Our daughters, live away and both studying in the medical field, have been incredibly inquisitive — asking questions, seeking understanding, and wanting to know the why behind every result and decision.

Before this, I wasn’t aware of just how prevalent bowel cancer has become, nor how significantly rates have increased over the past decade — particularly among younger people aged 25–35. It has changed how I view health, screening, and prevention.

I share my story to encourage everyone to be proactive about their health. Do the screening. Ask the questions. Don’t ignore the quiet signs. Early detection saved my life, and it is something I now strongly advocate for — including regular colonoscopies from age 25 every five years, which is the path my own children will follow. I hope my story encourages even one person to priotise their health, during March bowel screening month.

My one piece of advice:
Early detection saved my life, and it is something I now strongly advocate for — including regular colonoscopies from age 25 every five years, which is the path my own children will follow. I hope my story encourages even one person to priotise their health, during March bowel screening month.