On October 15th 2023 Paul & I will be running the York ‘Run for all’ 10 mile race in aid of ‘The Bowel Movement’ (I'll be the one with a super poo on my top !)

One of my closest friends, Katie has been diagnosed with bowel cancer…….. this run is for her. Katie has chosen this charity due to the support they offer to younger adults diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 (advanced/inoperable/incurable) bowel cancer aged 34 back in 2021.

The diagnosis came after a couple of years of being anaemic (and not being able to get it under control with iron tablets) stomach pain and weight loss (without trying). Katie went back and to with the GP & as the stomach pain got worse, it started migrating to the right shoulder - painkillers weren’t working . A blood test revealed extremely high infection markers, leading to an immediate hospital stay and various scans.

The CT scan at this time showed something suspicious in the bowel and so a colonoscopy was booked which revealed the cancer. Following a review of the scans days later, it was determined the cancer had infiltrated 75% of her liver, along with spread to mediastinal nodes.

A lot of younger people are diagnosed with late stage cancer due to symptoms not taken seriously. Katie’s symptoms were typical for bowel cancer but it was not picked up straight away.

Since diagnosis, Katie has had various scans and numerous appointments which will be ongoing for the rest of her life. There has been bad and better news along the way and Katie is due to begin her second line of treatment which will cause numerous side effects and hair loss.

Bowel Cancer has limited treatment options, one of which isn’t available on the NHS. More research is desperately needed and awareness of symptoms known.

The Bowel Movement help to spread awareness and information on bowel cancer in young people, they also provide relief and support to those affected.

Please donate whatever you can afford and help The Bowel Movement help others.

Thanks

Hayley xxx