When you think of bowl cancer, many of you will associate it with affecting older people, and that’s exactly what Gemma was told by a GP, until she was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the tender age of 26.

Gemma had a job, she had fun with friends and enjoyed being a care-free young adult. However, her world was turned upside down after visiting the doctors a total of three times, as she was still uneasy about the illnesses that she was attracting.

Once the doctors had diagnosed Gemma with bowel cancer, she began a series of treatments and medication to get her on the road to recovery. Gemma was determined that the disease would not take her life.

After a year of uncertainty and bravery, in November 2012, Gemma was given the all-clear.

Gemma shares her story with Female First and how she is dealing with life after cancer and is keen to raise awareness among young people.

Gemma

"I first went to see my GP in Jan 2011 after I noticed blood when I went to the toilet. The doctor said they thought it was piles and nothing to worry about.  I remember at the time saying to the GP I think I have got cancer and they said ‘don’t be silly – you’re too young to have cancer.’

As my symptoms worsened I went back to my GP – three times in total.  As well as blood, I noticed my bowel movements were getting a lot looser.  I also seemed to be losing weight, suffering from a lot of indigestion, and was feeling increasingly tired but put that down to work.

Eventually, in September 2011, my GP referred me for a colonoscopy.  I was then referred for a flexible sigmoidoscopy. This was in the November and it was following this test that they said I had a 5cm tumour in my rectum. Luckily it hadn’t spread anywhere else.  Things moved very quickly after that.

I was given the opportunity to freeze my eggs but rather than delay treatment I decided to just start chemo right away. In December 2011 I began four cycles of chemotherapy.  I was treated with the drugs oxaliplatin (intravenously) and also capecitabine (orally).  I was lucky that I didn’t lose my hair. 

I had then had 5 ½ weeks of radiotherapy. Then in July 2012 I had surgery to remove the tumour which was followed by another 2 cycles of chemo. I was supposed to have four cycles but due to a nasty infection I could only have two.

My treatment ended in November 2012.  Since then I have been having regular checks. My last CT scan was in at the end of November 2012 when I was given the all-clear.  I am now having scans/colonoscopy every 6 months.

Since then things have slowly been getting back to normal. I am back at work and things seem to be settling down.  Due to my surgery I have had to have an ileostomy fitted as my large bowel is no longer in use so this is something I have had to learn to adapt to.

Some days it’s hard to believe what I have been through. I guess thing will never really be the same. There are long -term affects like the unlikelihood that I will ever have children which is difficult.

Although I had a lot of support at the time I found it hard to talk to my friends. I was so young to be diagnosed with bowel cancer. Most of the patients I met were a lot older than me so I feel very strongly about raising awareness of cancer in younger people.”

Gemma is supporting Cancer Research UK’s new campaign #WeWill beat cancer sooner. Join the fight at cruk.org

For more information, visit: www.cancerresearchuk.org

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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