Sarah G’s story

When I was around 22 years old, I suddenly became what I only assumed was lactose intolerant.

It was like a switch all of a sudden flipped. At the time, I didn’t know it was the first sign that something was deeply wrong.

Over the next seven years, I continued to battle through on and off painful bowel movements that often left me in tears. Along with unexplained weight gain and pretty severe fluid retention.

However, despite countless GP visits, tests and theories ranging from hormones, to circulation, to my already diagnosed endometriosis, my concerns were repeatedly brushed aside by multiple GPs.

By the time I turned 28, my symptoms had worsened and become a bit harder to ignore what was labelled ‘not serious’.

I began seeing blood in my stool, but yet again, was told I was ‘too young’ for bowel cancer. It wasn’t until an incredibly diligent GP who listened to my concerns ordered a stool test, then a colonoscopy (which mind you was delayed until November after being labelled non-urgent) that something began to change.

Both terrified and exhausted, I sought a second opinion and within hours I was referred to a gastroenterologist who agreed to see me that very night.

Just days after my 29th birthday, I woke from my colonoscopy to the devastating news: a tumour had been found. It was likely malignant but further testing would confirm what was suspected. The first thing I asked was, ‘Am I going to die?’

Surgery followed within weeks, along with six months of chemotherapy.

My story highlights a worrying reality: bowel cancer is rising at alarming rates in younger people, with Australians born in 1990 three times more likely to be diagnosed before 50 than those born in the 1950s.

Too often, young patients are dismissed because they don’t ‘fit the profile.’ I am now determined to change that.

I knew my body, and I knew something wasn’t right. If your doctor refuses a test, ask them to write it down. And if something feels wrong, keep fighting to be heard.

My one piece of advice:

Don’t ignore your symptoms, even if they seem minor. Early detection is key, and a proactive approach to health can make all the difference.

Bowel cancer affects people of all ages, so it’s important to advocate for yourself if something doesn’t feel right.

Also, stay informed but balanced. Knowledge is empowering, but it’s equally important to focus on what you can control and prioritise your mental and physical wellbeing where you can.

You’re not alone in this, and every step forward is progress. You are never too young for bowel cancer.