Symptoms

At just 44 years old, Emma was diagnosed with suspected Stage 4 bowel cancer, something that came as a surprise to her.

“I’ve always kept fit and eaten well, and generally looked after my body, so I feel incredibly unlucky to have got bowel cancer so young.”

Emma had always been slightly anaemic, but this got much worse during her pregnancy in 2022.  Naturally, she put this and other possible symptoms, like a bit of constipation, down to her pregnancy and was given iron supplements to take.

During the first year after her daughter was born, she had none of the usual bowel cancer symptoms but was increasingly tired and breathless. Again, she put this down to being a new mum. As a runner, she first noticed how her low energy impacted her running, leading to not being able to go up stairs without feeling out of breath. When she had her iron levels checked at the end of 2023, they were found to be very low – almost half what they should be.

Tests and Treatment

Her GP wanted to check what was going on, so in addition to having iron infusions she was also asked to complete a FIT test – which looks for traces of blood in your poo. In January 2024, Emma then went on to have a colonoscopy (a small camera that checks the inside of your bowel). The colonoscopy found a 3cm tumour on Emma’s bowel, and further scans showed very tiny lesions on her liver. Emma said, “hearing the words “I’m sorry” and “it’s cancer” were horrific and the feeling is indescribable. It was such a shock”.

All this was happening while Emma was also being made redundant and about to celebrate her little girl’s first birthday, so it was a very difficult time. “February 2024, was definitely what I would call the worst time of my life.”

On 14 February 2024, the hospital started Emma on three months of chemotherapy, followed by an operation in June 2024 to remove half her bowel, called a right hemicolectomy, and 42 lymph nodes, two of which contained a small number of cancer cells.

Living With and Beyond Cancer

Emma is currently followed up with scans every six months to monitor recurrence and any liver lesions. So far these have been all clear. With the treatment she has had, Emma is now considered to have had Stage 3 bowel cancer and classed as cancer-free.

In her own words, Emma says that although she has recovered quickly and brilliantly, it has not been easy. Coping with the mental trauma and physical side effects throughout and after treatment were challenging, but overall, she is adamant that her recovery was helped by maintaining her fitness throughout, eating healthily, the support of her family and friends, and keeping a sense of humour and positive mindset throughout.

Emma also says that every member of her hospital team were outstanding, in particular her GP and dedicated cancer nurse. “The NHS reacted quickly and I cannot fault the care I have received to date.” 

Find out more about bowel cancer and the FIT test

Derek had no symptoms when he sent off his ‘poo stick’.

Over the years he had done his bowel screening regularly and the results had always come clear. This time, however, tiny traces of blood were found, which meant he needed further tests.

Despite this being during the Covid-19 pandemic, Derek had a colonoscopy at the hospital a week later. Within seven weeks, he had had an operation to remove the bowel cancer. It was found so early it meant that he didn’t have to have other more aggressive types of treatment, like chemotherapy.

As a busy 73-year-old, he is grateful that the bowel cancer was found at such a stage where it could just be removed. It means Derek can get on with his very active life, including supporting other veterans at a Breakfast Club and drop in.

He advises everyone to do their bowel screening. He says ‘It saved my life. It could save yours.’

Visit our bowel cancer screening page for more information.

Anna’s bowel cancer was treatable with an operation. Before she had the surgery, she welcomed the opportunity to improve her fitness by completing a six-week supervised exercise programme at her local gym.

“Being fitter helped me sail though the operation. I haven’t had any other treatment, and I am now six months on and will be followed up regularly for five years.”

Anna wasn’t aware of the signs of anaemia. As well as the breathlessness, she didn’t know hair loss and having nails like paper were also symptoms, and she says she would encourage anyone else experiencing these symptoms to speak to a health professional.

Debbie

The Basingstoke Nepalese Community (BNC) hosted an event in October to raise cancer awareness in the community. The event was made possible by funding from a Communities Against Cancer (CAC) grant.

Held at the Carnival Hall in Basingstoke, the main aim was to support people to access cancer services by promoting cancer awareness. Altogether about 100 people participated on the day.

The event was supported by the Nepal Nursing Association UK (NNAUK) who provided free health check services. People had their blood pressure checked and had their body mass index (BMI) measured. They were also provided with healthy lifestyle advice. Many men and women of different ages benefitted from this and would like to have this service in the community again.

Hair Studio

If you are having chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other cancer treatments, you may lose your hair or find that it becomes thinner. These changes are almost always temporary.

In June last year the Natural Image Hair Studio was first launched in Southampton.

Stylist Tracy Blackwell offers personal styling appointments for wigs and hair pieces to support those with hair loss and other needs.

The studio stocks wigs and hair pieces from Natural Image, a brand which specialises in wigs for those experiencing hair loss through treatments like chemotherapy. They also stock Gabor and Raquel Welch wigs and toppers.

​How it Started

Tracy has been instrumental in setting up the new service after she experienced the emotional effect of hair loss through her mum, who received treatment for breast cancer.

“My lovely mum went through such a tough time during treatment for her cancer and losing her hair was a very difficult time for her,” says Tracy.

“I felt this project was such an exciting opportunity to give something back and to help others in a very positive way. I felt I was with my mum on her wig journey, so well equipped to understand the needs of clients seeking this service and jumped at the chance to be part of this adventure.”

As well as becoming the branch’s hair specialist, Tracy has also used her interior design skills to create a space for a private and discreet Hair Studio within the store.

“You have completely shifted how I felt about chemo and hair loss, and I’ve found myself with a spring in my step this evening for the first time in a while’.”

“The service you provide is a real positive to someone who has cancer. Losing my hair was one of the most distressing things of the chemotherapy treatment & you treated me with care & compassion. My wig looks fantastic on me & I have already accessorised it for going out”.

Introduction

My name is Helen and in 2017, after more than 30 years of nursing, I developed endometrial cancer.

Following a radical hysterectomy and internal radiotherapy I developed lymphoedema in both legs and, more recently, lipoedema, and made the difficult decision to give up work. It was early after my surgery, during a follow-up appointment that I uttered the words “I wish I could do something to help.” The surgeon literally ran out of the room, and I turned to my husband and said, “what have I gone and done now!”

And so, I ended up running a gynae cancer support group at the Macmillan Centre at the local hospital where I had been working. I must admit that I felt a little bit lost, and the group bumbled along but I was aware that there wasn’t really any direction to it.

Then Covid hit, and like so many things, the group came to a grinding halt. It was only last year that I decided to ring the Macmillan nurses to see if anything was happening with the group and whether they needed any help running it. Silly me! I was bribed with the promise of a free coffee and ended up somehow agreeing to run the group once more.

Who are the Pathway Navigators?

You may not have heard of a Pathway Navigator before, but for people who have been referred to hospital with a suspected cancer, the Pathway Navigator has a really important part to play.

Pathway Navigators make a real difference to patients at the very start of their cancer pathway. They contact the patient when they have been referred for tests, and support them right up to the point of a diagnosis. Each Pathway Navigator will work in a slightly different way, responding to the individual needs of the person they are helping. This could include explaining how a procedure works, helping patients navigate the system, booking appointments, signposting to further information, or providing an important listening ear.

Pathway Navigators across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been recognised with an Innovation Award. There are now 29 in post across the region, covering a range of different departments and specialities.

What do they do?

The navigator’s focus is to support patients to move through the first stages that follow a GP referral as quickly and as seamlessly as possible. They are the first point of contact for patients over telephone and email. They will follow up test results, book biopsy and clinic appointments, organise the waiting list, and work with other health professionals in the cancer team to make sure everything is in place for follow-up appointments.

One pathway navigator said, “a highlight for me is seeing patients come in and knowing I have spoken to them to inform them of their scan and that they are aware of who they can phone if they have any concerns or questions.”

The Pathway Navigator is not intended to be a clinical role, but they are proving to be a vital part of guiding patients through the hospital system.

The Living Tree is a registered charity, co-founded in 2012 by Jo Millar & the late Jo O’Farrell MBE. Based in Bridport, it offers friendship, creative activities, holistic therapies and relevant diet and lifestyle information for anyone with any cancer in West Dorset.

We offer mutual support, helping people cope with the fear, anxiety, isolation or stress that cancer can bring, by offering a chance to unwind. We share our knowledge and information about services and resources in the locality, and offer numerous regular activities throughout the week (such as swimming, ambling, table tennis, an allotment, a Friday drop-in) plus occasional workshops.

I am Tracy Gallacher and I have recently joined Shore Medical Primary Care Network as Lead Cancer Nurse. Prior to this I worked as Lead Cancer Nurse for Poole Hospital and Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist.

My role is unique in that it is the first of its kind. I am very fortunate to be in a newly developed role as I can develop it to meet the needs of our local community. There are currently over 2,600 patients across Shore with a cancer diagnosis. For each person, their cancer journey will be unique, and the support people require may vary depending on their support networks. Part of my role is to ensure patients and their families feel supported within the local community.

My key aims

• Support and offer cancer care reviews to all patients with a cancer diagnosis
• Signpost to the correct services ensuring they get the right support at the right time
• Assessment of acute illness (cancer related) to ensure continuity, treatment support, admission avoidance or referral into secondary care
• I am very keen to improve the links with secondary care ensuring seamless pathways and care co-ordination
• Ensuring patients make informed decisions and opportunity to discuss their care – working closely with the palliative care teams to ensure advanced care planning is achieved
• Referring into counselling teams

We all know that exercise is good for us. But what if you’re a cancer patient?

Studies have shown that exercise is beneficial at all stages of your cancer journey. Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, Penny Brohn UK and Maggie’s Centres all emphasise the benefits. Search their websites for ‘exercise’ and you’ll find lots of information.

In 2018 several C’Siders (a Weymouth and Portland Cancer Support Group) wanted to regain and improve their fitness after having treatment for various types of cancer.

These C’Siders had taken the opportunity of joining the Stepping Out cancer rehab exercise scheme in Bridport, with fully-qualified instructors who could give professional advice about what type of exercise they should be doing, and how much.

This was an excellent start and they all felt the benefits, but it was clear that something closer to home was needed. There was also likely to be many others in the area who could benefit from a supervised exercise scheme specifically for cancer patients.

C’Siders worked with Osprey Leisure Centre in Portland and secured grant funding to train an instructor, hire the venue and provide equipment. The first session saw 14 participants signed up, confirming that there was a need locally, and new attendees continue to be referred.

C’Fit was born.

Bob wanted to share his cancer story as he felt it highlighted the importance of seeking medical advice and the benefits of early diagnosis.

Bob went to see his GP following some symptoms he thought needed to be checked out. The GP agreed she wanted his symptoms investigated further and arranged for him to have an ultrasound.

Bob then went on to have two further scans and following the third one, the specialist nurse confirmed that Bob had a growth in his bladder and that it was cancer.

Later that month, Bob had surgery to remove the growth. Through surgery, doctors discovered that the cancer was very aggressive, however not well advanced. Bob was told that if the cancer hadn’t been found at an early stage, it may have spread to other parts of his body. This only reinforces the importance of early diagnosis.

Bob then went onto receive treatment, the aim of which was to prevent the cancer returning. The treatment was regular for the first year and Bob described this as being “unpleasant and painful” a few days after each treatment session. Bob however, was adamant to complete his treatment after his nurse asked him if he wanted to continue “to me, there was no option not to” he said.

Having a bowel cancer diagnosis can be a daunting and scary time. Bob has kindly shared his experience of being diagnosed and treated for bowel cancer, to provide some reassurance for others that there is life after cancer.

Symptoms

Bob was feeling slightly unwell before a family trip to New Zealand in 2017. He was experiencing some constipation and suffering with stomach pains. Some medication helped relieve the symptoms but after the holiday, Bob went to see his GP because the symptoms returned.

The GP referred Bob for some investigations at his local hospital and in May 2017, Bob had a colonoscopy. The hospital asked his wife to come and collect him and before they went home, the Oncology nurse and surgeon spoke to Bob and his wife.

“I knew something was serious when they asked us to go into a side room and then told me that it looked highly likely I had bowel cancer.”