An East Lancashire mum says she is “worried about the future” after being diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 38.
She is now backing a campaign which encourages young people to take note of cancer symptoms and understand that you are never too young to be diagnosed.
Charlotte Maden, from Loveclough in Rossendale, was diagnosed with cancer in February 2022.
She visited a doctor four months before after finding blood in her stool.
She said: “I was going on holiday for a week the day I noticed the blood but made a doctor's appointment the first day I got back.
“I wasn't too concerned but knew it needed investigating further, even if it was just for peace of mind.”
After losing both of her parents to cancer, Charlotte was “anxious” about getting the results of her blood and stool tests.
Charlotte said: “The doctor sent me a text later to confirm that I had an urgent referral.
"There was some debate if I would fit the criteria for an urgent referral but thankfully I did.
“I had my first colonoscopy on 29 November 2021 which confirmed two polyps (tissue growths). I then had a second colonoscopy on 15 December to remove them and they were sent off to the histology for further investigation.”
The mum-of-two said her “heart sank” when she saw the polyps on screen.
She said: “When I saw the polyps I could tell one was significantly different to the other both in size, texture and colour.
“My heart sank - I knew deep down that this didn't look promising. I put this to the back of my mind and got on with what was a lovely family Christmas.”
Charlotte received the devastating cancer diagnosis on 16 February and said it was “difficult” to let people know the news.
She said: “My sisters and I have just lost our parents to cancer and know what devastating effects it has on a family.
“I am heartbroken that I have to put them through this again. I imagine my husband bringing up the children by himself.
“I imagine missing seeing my children grow up. I must put this to the back of my mind. I can't change the diagnosis, but I can change my attitude to it. I must not let it break me.”
She said she was surprised to hear the news after leading a relatively fit and healthy lifestyle.
“It's hard to describe in words how the diagnosis has impacted my life,” she said.
“At the moment as I am still processing the information, I feel shock and disbelief.
“I am a fit and healthy 38 year old. I eat well, exercise and don't smoke or drink (much). There is no known history of bowel cancer in the family.”
Charlotte says she “worries about the future” but is determined to fight the cancer with all she has.
She said: “Waiting for the histology results is difficult. What will be the next steps to my treatment? So many questions. Such a long wait.
“The wait gives me change to focus on the children's upcoming birthdays, they are turning five and seven. In the back of my mind – I wonder how many more birthdays I will see?”
She recently underwent an operation where a segment of her bowel was removed.
She said: “Although there was pain and discomfort, this procedure avoided the need for a stoma.
“I was overjoyed. I wasn't allowed visitors to the ward while I was in hospital due to COVID which was difficult being a mum of two, however this gave me time to focus on me and get stronger.
“Physically I am recovering well from the operation. Mentally, I need to prepare for the next stage, whatever this may be? I am committed to staying positive.
“This doesn't mean I don't cry, get sad or angry. I do all this in abundance. I just need to keep picking myself up and re-focus on the positive.”
She is now backing a campaign launched by Bowel Cancer UK; the aim is to raise awareness of bowel cancer and show that people of all ages can get it.
She said: “I am thankful that the doctor made me an urgent referral.
“I strongly believe that the 'Never Too Young' campaign has help change people’s perception that bowel cancer is not just a concern for the 'older' population.
“I don't know my outcome but it may have been very different if I wasn't seen quickly.”
Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and the second biggest cancer killer. However, the disease is treatable, even curable, if diagnosed early, but too often it is diagnosed at a late stage when the chances of survival are much lower.
Most people with bowel cancer are over 50, but a significant number of people are diagnosed with the disease when they are younger.
Every year over 2,500 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK.
The symptoms of bowel cancer are:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
Find out more by visiting Bowel Cancer UK's website
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