Rob, Surrey

I was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer in February 2025 aged 39. 

I’m a busy family man as a father of two children, eight and 11. I love everything outdoors and am generally happiest near water or on snow. At the weekend you’ll most likely find me on a walk or bike ride, with occasional pub visits when not dropping the kids at various events!

In December 2024, I was experiencing a lot of fatigue. Often, weekends would wipe me out running after the kids, coaching a youth football team. In January 2025, I had a pain in my right side which I put down to an ongoing cough and a winter bug. I went to see my GP who suggested some blood tests. After a few days my GP contacted me to say that I was severely anaemic and showing signs of blood loss. I followed up with some samples and went on a family ski trip to return to a CT scan and a colonoscopy.

I was told after my CT that I had a large tumour in my large intestine and would require surgery. I was in shock looking back. I didn’t expect each stage to confirm the worst and it did. I felt I shouldn’t have to face this at 39 and I was scared for what the future held. The unknown aspects were the worst, waiting for test results and the many avenues of outcomes. Once I had a plan, I could mentally get behind it and prepare myself.

A couple of weeks after my colonoscopy I underwent a seven-hour operation – a right hemicolectomy – to remove the tumour and reconnect the healthy part of my system. At first this was done via keyhole surgery, but as the tumour was large I needed opening up further. I ended up with a nice scar to take home. I was really scared of waking up with a stoma bag and having to deal with that aspect of the journey. It was the first thing I asked in recovery, to which I received the good news I didn’t need the bag. 

I was sent home after a couple of nights, with an observation kit and team on WhatsApp checking in daily. Post-surgery, I was OK and up and about after operation day, but the night I got home I had terrible post-operative bloating which caused a lot of pain and sickness. I was in agony. Thankfully it passed and I was able to slowly start my recovery.

After a few painful weeks of physical and mental recovery I returned to work in May, easing back into the new ‘normality’. Whilst I’m still adjusting and recovering with some post-surgery pains, my recovery has been relatively straightforward. I’m back to my spin classes and the odd 5K but taking it easy as my body is still in recovery. I’ve had to adapt a little as my movement is still restricted, but it’s getting better as each month passes. 

My tumour was analysed and was deemed a stage 2 cancer due to its size. Due to early intervention, it was decided that I didn’t need chemotherapy, just screening. I’m currently discharged from the oncologist but am still under surveillance: every three months for bloods and six months for CT scans. Due to my age, genetic follow ups are happening to rule out Lynch syndrome too. It’s a constant thought in your mind post cancer about routines and if things will return, but each check-up has come with relief so far.

The support from the medical team was world class. At times, I felt like I was the only one going through this, but the level of care during diagnosis and post-operation was just incredible. Even having the team on WhatsApp to discuss progress or issues was so reassuring. I really don’t know how I would have coped without them. Luckily, I also had an army of great family and friends who were ultra-supportive. In June it was my 40th birthday, and I had a party to celebrate the milestone but also getting through the storm.

My employer and colleagues were so supportive too. It’s something I’ll deeply cherish looking back and not having that additional worry of work. I was eager to return, and they were super supportive of my wellbeing.  

In my early days of diagnosis, I used Bowel Cancer UK’s website and forums a lot to research to help set my mind at rest and understand all the new terms and acronyms. I’d recommend keeping to reputable sources of information. You can go down a rabbit hole with so many issues and complications and each cancer journey is unique.  

Everyone will be impacted by cancer in their lifetime but knowing when to ask for advice and follow-ups is essential. Getting help early was key for me: getting diagnosed early via my GP and not letting a niggle go unnoticed. A few more weeks or months of brushing my symptoms under the carpet could have led to a very different outcome. 

I’d also stress that there’s so much help in the build-up to diagnosis and treatment, but there is a massive gap in supporting those getting back to work emotionally. The expectation of a return to normality is not right, as cancer changes you as an individual. Recovery for me has been quite long, despite my not needing further treatment. We need to raise awareness about the recalibration needed post-cancer.