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When Sheridan Dodson went to her GP with abdominal pain, bowel cancer was far from her mind.
At just 47, she was 20 years younger than the average bowel cancer patient in Australia – but her doctor wanted to be sure.
A few weeks later she awoke from a colonoscopy procedure to be given the devastating news that a gastroenterologist had found a tumour the size of a tennis ball in her lower colon.
The Redlands mum-of-two has now fought a six-month struggle against the disease and is joining Mater doctors to warn of the growing bowel cancer risks faced by those under 50 during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (June).
The number of bowel cancer cases in the under-50s has more than doubled in the past two decades and now account for one in every nine bowel cancer diagnoses.
The disease claims around 5,000 lives in Australia each year.
“I had had a pain on the left side of my stomach, but I thought it was something else like reflux or IBS,” Mrs Dodson said.
“When I mentioned to my doctor that I had bowel changes too she asked how long it had been since I had had a colonoscopy. I said it was years ago.”
After her colonoscopy identified the tumour, Mrs Dodson was referred to colorectal surgeon Dr Tim Slack. Within days 20cms of her colon and the tumour had been removed in an operation at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane.
As the cancer had spread to a lymph node, Mrs Dodson was referred to oncologist Dr Vikram Jain to undergo six months of chemotherapy at the Mater Cancer Care Centre at Mater Private Hospital Redland.
She has made great progress in her fight against the disease, but further testing will be needed to check if she is now cancer-free.
“Even now I haven’t really processed what has happened to me,” Mrs Dodson said.
“But my eyes have been opened to bowel cancer and I want other people to be aware too.
“Bowel cancer is a disease that is affecting more and more people under 50. If you have any symptoms you need to see a doctor and advocate for yourself and your health.”
Bowel cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and any changes in bowel habits, such as constipation. However, symptoms do not appear in the early stages of the disease.
Free bowel cancer home testing kits are sent to every Australian over 50 every two years and those aged 45 to 49 can also request the tests – although more than half of the six million tests mailed out each year are never used.
Dr Slack said the size of Mrs Dodson’s tumour was not unusual for a patient whose cancer was detected after becoming symptomatic. Her age was not a surprise either.
“When I started my career 15 years ago it was very rare to see a bowel cancer patient in their 40s,” he said.
“Now doctors do not bat an eyelid. The increase in these cases is occurring internationally and no one is certain why.
“It’s essential that doctors and the public are aware of the growing incidence of bowel cancer in younger age groups.
“If you are sent a screening kit, please use it. If you have any abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits, see your GP.”
