Mel W’s story

I’m 44 and have always been generally healthy. I didn’t even have a regular GP. In June, I went to see a doctor I’d never met before at our local medical centre about something completely unrelated. While I was there, I happened to mention that I’d been feeling extremely fatigued and wasn’t sure if it was perimenopause or just the reality of being in my mid-forties, working full time and raising two teenagers.

Thankfully, that GP was incredibly vigilant. She sent me home with a blood test form and the free bowel screening kit which I did immediately and the results showed blood in all three stool samples and anaemia.

I went for a colonoscopy the following week, and on 30 July 2025, my husband and I sat in a small hospital room where we were told the shocking news: I had bowel cancer. The diagnosis included polyposis syndrome, an adenocarcinoma on the right side and high-grade dysplasia in the large intestine. I was booked in urgently for a CT scan and an appointment with a colorectal surgeon.

Six days later, I met the surgeon, and just three days after that, I had a four-hour surgery — an extended right hemicolectomy. I spent seven nights in hospital recovering. During my stay, my surgeon came to tell me that pathology had confirmed the removal of 29 polyps and cancer in four lymph nodes, making it stage three. Chemotherapy would be the next step.

I recovered well from surgery and began chemotherapy five weeks later. It’s fortnightly for six months and I’ve just completed my third round.

I am extremely grateful for my incredible medical team and for the love and support of my family, friends and our whole beautiful community. They have surrounded us with care, prayer, meals, company and encouragement during what has been an overwhelming journey.

My one piece of advice for others:

Stay positive. These were the first words my husband said when we heard my diagnosis, and I’ve tried to hold onto them ever since. A positive mindset doesn’t mean pretending it’s easy – it means choosing hope, gratitude and trust even when things feel uncertain.

And please, don’t wait. You are never too young.