Under 50 and diagnosed with bowel cancer – stories from real people

Early detection can make a difference to treatment outcomes. For younger people, recognising symptoms can be challenging when bowel cancer isn't something they'd typically consider. Mohammad, Nick, and Nat featured here all experienced different symptoms before their diagnosis.

Mohammad's story (40)

Mohammad was enjoying life with his family and thriving in his career before his diagnosis in February 2021. 

"Before my diagnosis life was great to be honest. I'd been promoted to a project manager role, (Ocado). I was eating healthily, having my smoothies, taking vitamins, going to the gym, cycling. I also have two energetic young children, who love to be outdoors, no matter the weather, we'd be out on nature walks, by the lakes or the seaside. We were loving life and everything was going swimmingly, until my diagnosis." 

"I started experiencing symptoms in October, the year before [my diagnosis]. I'd woken up one morning, went downstairs and suddenly felt this sharp stabbing pain in my lower abdomen, which sent me to the floor on my knees. It only lasted 20 seconds, as quickly as it came on, it went." 

As weeks passed, Mohammad noticed changes: "I started experiencing fatigue, I had little to no energy. I was constantly constipated and was just not eating as much as I used to. I thought it was my diet. So, I got the blender out, cut out all the fatty takeaway foods and get back on the healthy eating." 

By the new year, his condition had worsened: "My family were telling me that something's not right, I wasn't myself. Where I could feel the stabbing pains, which became more frequent and intense, I could feel a lump forming." 

Nick's story (37)

Nick maintained a healthy lifestyle before his diagnosis. 

"Before I was diagnosed with cancer for the last two years, I had a very healthy lifestyle. I would train with my PT three times a week, eat very healthy and drink minimal alcohol." 

"I started noticing blood when I had a 'number 2'.  [poo] I didn't really think much of it and just put it down to eating lots of 'naughty' food compared to my normal diet. However, as the month went on and going into January 2021 the blood didn't stop and I started noticing my bowel habits were changing as well. I was noticing more loose stools and also, I sometimes felt constipated."  These persistent symptoms eventually prompted him to seek medical advice, encouraged by his mother. 

Nathaniel's Story (39) 

For Nathaniel, an avid runner, the first indication came through changes in his physical performance. 

"I knew something was up because in running, maybe a year before I was diagnosed, I was doing all the right things. I had a coach, was doing all the strength work, eating incredibly well, (I'm a vegan). I was also turning down extra work to rest. However, I was getting slower, by around 10 seconds a mile. I wasn't old enough to be getting naturally slower. I was going backwards despite doing all the right things." 

"Going to the toilet more often happens if you're vegan, or it does for me anyway. I didn't really think much of it, but it was getting extreme. By the March, I was getting huge pains, constipated and trapped wind. I thought I had appendicitis. That went away a little bit and would come and go. When you're fit and healthy and the symptoms go away, you think you're fine. Then it would come back and gradually more often." 

"I'd have pencil-thin stools, I wasn't sure if there was blood. By the September, it became really obvious I needed to put my hand up." 

Younger adults sometimes face challenges in getting diagnosed with bowel cancer. These stories highlight the importance of speaking to your doctor, if symptoms continue.

Nick's experience 

"I went to the GP thinking I probably had something common like a pile and hopefully some cream or medication would sort out the issue. When I saw the GP and explained my issues, she did an inspection and was on a similar view that it was nothing serious. However, I explained that my father had bowel cancer 10 years ago. Although the GP didn't think I had anything like cancer given my family history, thankfully, she requested that I had a colonoscopy ASAP just to rule anything like cancer out of the equation." 

"I knew something wasn't quite right from the inspection and shortly after I had bloods taken and a conversation with the doctor and sister who said this looks like cancer." 

"I couldn't really believe what I had been told, how could I have cancer at 33, someone who has a really healthy lifestyle? I also couldn't really get out of my head how my family and friends were going to deal with this, also what would work say, plus what actually is my life now going to be like?" 

Nick pictured with his dog Twiggy.

Nathaniel's struggle to get a diagnosis 

"My doctor ended up being great, but it wasn't straightforward to persuade the GP to take it as seriously as cancer. I think 90% of bowel cancer cases are over the age of 60, with more than half over 70. It's rare to find someone younger, although that's increasing." 

"They thought that maybe it could be Crohn's. I remember the doctor said, 'sounds like you're worried, we'll give you a blood test and stool sample to just rule it out. You are too young for bowel cancer.' That's what I was told. I hasten to add, I wasn't refused a test, but the prospect wasn't taken seriously until the tests looked dodgy and then I had a colonoscopy." 

"Initially I'm told it's stage 4, but it's the most fortunate stage 4 it could be, because it had only spread locally to the liver. They were worried about a couple of lymph nodes but weren't sure. I then go for another couple of scans and I meet the oncologist." 

Mohammad's journey 

"I went to the doctor, explained my symptoms and the doctor said it was stress. Everyone was in lockdown, working from home, so they were seeing a lot of people with these symptoms and those who were constipated. They gave me a physical examination, but they couldn't feel anything. I was confident there was a lump there." 

When initial treatments didn't help: "They said it was IBS. They said they'd give me medication for that and put me back on the laxatives and see if that helps." 

"I started to take the medication for about two weeks and it just wasn't helping. I went back to the GP and said that the lump feels like it's growing and my symptoms are worsening, yet at the moment, you're throwing stuff at me hoping it will stick, but it's not working." 

"I wanted a test of some sort to figure out what was going on. The doctor pushed back and said they were confident it was IBS. I negotiated with him to say that I'd continue taking the medication, if things improve, I'd let them know, but I would like a test to be done to start this investigation. Reluctantly he agreed to a blood test." 

"Just two days after, I got a call from my GP saying that they need speak urgently because of the results. The inflammation within my body was picked up by the test and there were concerns over the amount of inflammation in my system." 

Nick emphasises the importance of getting medical advice when something doesn’t feel right for you. 

"I am keen to raise awareness that young people do get bowel cancer, it is actually a 'thing' and we should see our GP if something does not look or feel right." 

Nathaniel reflects on the reluctance some people feel about discussing symptoms: 

"Men generally don't want to acknowledge any symptoms. I'm guilty of that. Especially with something like this, which can be harder to talk about. Although I'm now happy to describe the nature of my poo!" 

"My thought process is if one person gets checked out, finds out before I did, and it saves their life, that would make me consider my life now worth living. That's what I want to do now." 

Common symptoms of bowel cancer

If you notice any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, speak to your GP: 

• Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo 
• A persistent change in your bowel habit (going more often, with looser poo) 
• Unexplained weight loss  Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason 
• A pain or lump in your tummy 

If you're worried about your symptoms, it's important to: 

• Keep a symptom diary to track changes 
• Be specific about your symptoms and how they affect you 
• Return to your GP if symptoms don't improve with initial treatment 

Learn more about the symptoms of bowel cancer.