A young woman was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness after she suddenly started losing weight.
Sarah Griffiths, from Prenton, Wirral, was generally fit and healthy when she first started suffering from symptoms including blood in her stools and unexplained weight loss. The 31-year-old said she hadn't noticed the weight loss at first, but when the blood persisted for four weeks, she stepped on the scales and realised she’d lost a stone without trying to diet.
Sarah went to see her GP and her blood tests were clear, but a colonoscopy in June 2019 revealed she had stage three bowel cancer and a tumour “the size of a peach” was discovered. Sarah was told the devastating news the cancer had also spread to her lymph nodes and she had to undergo immediate major bowel surgery as well as six months of chemotherapy to treat it.
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Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK and affects the large bowel. Sarah, now 34, said: “I had been marked up for a stoma and then when I woke up the staff at the hospital said the surgeon had managed to close my bowel without the need for one. I was delighted and I know that makes me extremely lucky.
“My Grandad was diagnosed with bowel cancer before he died, he was 81 when he passed away. It was while I was having my treatment so I couldn’t say goodbye to him. Most people think that bowel cancer only happens to older people, but I want this to stop and for people to realise that anyone can get it and at any age.”
During a routine follow-up appointment in April last year, Sarah was told her cancer had returned in the form of a nodule in her lung. She had to undergo surgery for a second time to remove the lump, which was a success.
Last month Sarah had the results she had been waiting for when a CT scan showed no sign of cancer. She is now in remission and will have six monthly blood tests and annual scans to check for recurrence.
To mark the milestone Sarah will be joined by 19 of her family and friends who are taking part in Race For Life at Sefton Park on July 10th where she will be a VIP guest and sound the starter horn. Sarah said she feels "lucky to be alive" and now lives "each day as if it's her last" after watching Dame Deborah James deal with the disease at the same time as going through it herself.
Dame Deborah, also known as Bowel Babe, has been raising awareness of the disease since being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2016 and has raised over £6.7 million for Cancer Research UK. Dame Deborah died earlier this week on Tuesday, June 28, surrounded by her family.
Sarah, who lives with her partner Bryan in Prenton, said it was thanks to Dame Deborah for being so open and honest about her diagnosis that has made it easier for people like her to talk about living with bowel cancer. Sarah, who lives with her partner Bryan in Prenton, said: “I have scars all over my body, but I feel lucky and it’s because of all the research and the tests that I have survived.
"Race For Life will mark a year since my treatment ended and last month I had my first clear scan in three years, so it’s time to celebrate. My family and friends would laugh if you asked is Sarah embarrassed to talk about bottoms and poo, I’m not embarrassed to talk about it, especially now as I want to be able to spread as much awareness as possible and if that saves just one life, any embarrassment would be worth it.
“I feel so lucky to be alive. I have been following Bowel Babe’s story since my treatment began. She’s a true inspiration and so strong. My attitude to life has changed, I try not to worry about things and truly believe we only live once, and we should live each day as if it’s our last.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. The Race for Life events in Merseyside are open to people of all ages and abilities. Women, men and children can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k events. There is also a chance to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course and there’s a Pretty Muddy Kids option.
Jemma Humphreys, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the North West, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sarah for her support. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. So we’re asking people across the region: “Who will you Race for?”
“Our Race for Life events are open to all. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog. Others may opt to push themselves harder, taking up the challenge of the 10K distance and even pushing for a new personal best time.
“But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities. The Race for Life events in Merseyside will be fun, emotional, colourful, uplifting and an unforgettable event this year.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “This will be our 21st year in partnership with Cancer Research UK and Race for Life and we hope this year can be the biggest yet.”
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