💡 **Act Fast & Save Lives: Jenny’s Story** 💡
Meet Jenny Duncan, a resilient 45-year-old from Hull. While relaxing on holiday in Lanzarote in 2019, she noticed blood on her toilet paper but brushed it off, attributing it to stress and a hectic lifestyle. Jenny thought bowel cancer was an “older man’s disease” and carried on, ignoring her symptoms.
However, persistent tummy pain, bloating, and fatigue couldn’t be ignored forever. Her turning point came when her husband, Stuart, spotted photos of her poo on her phone – photos Jenny had taken to track the worrying signs. Concerned, Stuart urged her to seek medical help immediately.
Visiting her GP armed with those photos led to an urgent referral to a specialist. By October 2019, Jenny was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. “I had this feeling of utter despair, convinced I was going to die,” she recalls. She began intensive chemotherapy and surgery while battling the isolation brought on by the pandemic.
In January 2022, more devastating news hit: the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and was now incurable. Yet, Jenny refuses to let this define her. With regular scans and fewer treatment intervals, she’s focusing on cherishing her time with family, especially her three adult sons.
Jenny shares her journey to stress the importance of early detection. Checking your poo isn’t fun, but it might save your life. “Don’t ignore the signs. See your GP if you notice anything unusual,” she advises.
Bowel cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, and knowing the symptoms—bleeding, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, chronic fatigue, or pain—can be critical.
Jenny’s story is a reminder to be vigilant about our health. The sooner you act, the better your chances.
Share this to raise awareness because it’s never too late to take control of your health. 💪 #CheckYourPoo #BowelCancerAwareness #JennyStrong