A mum was shocked to learn of a colon cancer diagnosis after previously putting her symptoms down to old age. Sally Nelson, 62, completed a bowel screening kit just one month before a colonoscopy and is now pushing for others to get checked out.
During a holiday visiting family in 2021 the mum, from Newtownwards, County Down, suffered symptoms of exhaustion and loss of breath. Sally nearly fainted before booking a GP appointment upon her return home as her symptoms worsened, reports the Mirror.
Blood tests revealed she had a lower blood count than normal and was 'extremely' anaemic before being prescribed tablets. Sally was then referred for colon CT scan in January 2022 after her scheduled colonoscopy took place at Downe Hospital in Downpatrick.
The tests revealed a tumour on the right hand side of her colon which doctors rushed to remove immediately as she underwent surgery in Ulster Hospital a few weeks later.
"I made sure to get plenty of rest and was advised to not lift anything for four to six weeks," she told Belfast Live.
"It took me a few months before I started to feel a bit more normal again. The practice nurses were on hand if I needed any support and I could contact them if I felt I had any worries.
"I was required to have four sessions of chemotherapy and I knew I had to have these sessions to help me get better. At times I found this very challenging and it definitely had an impact on my physical and emotional health.
"After each session, I had to deal with this mentally because whenever I started to feel better, I had to then go for the next session of chemotherapy, but I just had to push myself through it.
"I had great support from my son and daughter-in-law who helped me during my treatment and recovery, which I am very grateful for."
Sally is now urging those with a history of cancer in their family to raise concerns with their GP after she made a full recovery.
She added: "Even to get some peace of mind. Be aware of what is normal for your body.
"If you are eligible for bowel screening and receive your kit, it will only take a few minutes to do and this could potentially save your life, screening is so important."
For more information on bowel screening, visit the NHS website here.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
