Rita Harris, Gloucester

I was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer in September 2025 

I visited the GP for, what I thought was, an unrelated problem but this prompted them to ask me to complete an at home FIT test. It came back positive and I was referred for an urgent colonoscopy.  

Blood tests were done and at the colonoscopy I knew there was something wrong. 

I watched on the screen and recall asking ‘what is that?’ when I saw an abnormal blob appear on the screen. A reassuring hand on my shoulder and a soft voice saying’ I’m going to take a few biopsies Rita, I’ll come to talk with you when you’re out of recovery’. 

I sort of knew then what it was, I lay quietly for the rest of the test and was thankful for the kindness of the staff. 

A kind and considerate conversation took place and it was confirmed that this was considered to be bowel cancer and the biopsies would confirm if this was so. I just wanted to go home; I had my cup of tea and tried to smile and remain calm. My friend came to collect me, I didn’t speak as we walked to the car, but I recall saying ‘they think it’s cancer, I saw it on the screen’. A scan confirmed at this stage there was no sign of spread, I felt slightly relieved but unconvinced, it was still a huge shock.  

I’d gone to the GP expecting to get a prescription for haemorrhoid cream, I didn’t expect the outcome to be cancer. I’d had no other symptoms that I could recall but then I started to think back and imagined all the possible other symptoms I may have missed or thought they were just normal general niggles, a bit of tummy pain, some bloating, had I been going to the loo more frequently? My mind went into overdrive. Outwardly I reassured everyone I was fine; I continued to go to work and carry on as if nothing was wrong and this could be sorted very easily but inwardly I felt my world was falling apart. 

I had my first resection surgery via colonoscopy in October. I had been advised of the benefits of this first approach but was unsure. I just wanted this thing gone and at that stage didn’t mind if they took all of my bowel to get rid of it, I wanted it out of my body there and then! 

I initially started to watch on the screen but realised I wasn’t quite as brave as I thought I was and thankfully must have received more sedative, I remember nothing further than seeing a section around the tumour incised and feeling quite sick. I woke up in recovery and my daughter took me home to sleep off the sedation. 

On a subsequent visit to see my consultant I was advised that the tumour had grown deeper into the bowel than had first been envisaged and they could not be sure it had all been removed. 

My options were to leave it for six months and see if it grew back or go to surgery for a right hemicolectomy. I knew what I wanted but was asked to go home and consider the options and call my colorectal nurse when I had decided. I called her the next day, I wanted the surgery. I had surgery in December 2025, right hemicolectomy. I was relieved to wake up to be told I didn’t have a stoma. 

There was a lovely student nurse on the ward where I was, she was involved in my care. She removed all my drips and tubes and ‘set me free’ enabling me to get up and about in my bid for freedom and to return home to recover.  

I’m now on a 5-year surveillance plan. It’s strange that although you have had the cancer removed and so far, all seems ok there is still this lingering fear that it’s just lurking somewhere in your body waiting to strike again. 

That’s a fear that doesn’t go away and although you get on with daily life that fear is never far away.  

A diagnosis of cancer is life changing, I have used mine to really think about what is and what is not important in life. I will go forward to enjoy my retirement, however long that may be, with a peaceful and thankful outlook to life cherishing those I love and the continued memories we make together.