A woman from Bristol has shared a stark warning after being diagnosed with bowel cancer twice, first at age 26 and again at 29. Charlotte Rutherford, now 32, says the experience taught her 'how fragile life is' and that bowel cancer 'can be happening to young people'.
Ms Rutherford was living in Australia in December 2020 when she was rushed to hospital with severe stomach pain, vomiting, and an inability to eat. A CT scan revealed Stage 3B bowel cancer, with an aggressive tumour obstructing her colon and spreading to lymph nodes. She underwent emergency surgery and 12 weeks of chemotherapy, achieving remission in April 2021.
Returning to the UK, Ms Rutherford had regular scans. In February 2023, feeling fit and healthy, she was shocked to learn the cancer had returned on her lung, now Stage 4. She opted for keyhole surgery over chemotherapy to protect her fertility, and has since remained cancer-free.
Ms Rutherford, now a community manager for the charity Mission Remission, urges young people to be aware of symptoms like persistent stomach pain, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. 'Don't sweat the small stuff – live life how you want to live,' she advises.
