Aisling Gallagher, then 28, had recently moved to London for her dream job as a personal shopper at Topshop when she noticed a change in her bowel habits. Needing to rush to the toilet with urgency, she initially attributed it to her new lifestyle and surroundings. However, it was an early warning sign of stage two rectal cancer.
From Healthy Young Woman to Cancer Patient
Aisling, from Belfast, described herself as 'super healthy' with zero health conditions. She didn't even register with a GP in London, as she never needed one. When she began passing blood and experiencing bloating, she visited her doctor in March 2020. But lockdown was declared two days later, delaying further tests.
From March to August, Aisling 'quickly deteriorated,' losing a stone in weight due to loss of appetite and continuing to pass blood. She said: 'It was extremely scary – I knew deep down something was very wrong.' Eventually, an urgent colonoscopy revealed a tumour in her rectum, and she received the life-changing diagnosis.
Treatment and Setbacks
In October 2020, she began radiation therapy on her pelvis and oral chemotherapy to shrink the tumour. When that proved ineffective, she had anterior resection surgery in February 2021, including a temporary stoma. The cancer was successfully removed, but it had spread to 11 lymph nodes, requiring six more months of chemotherapy starting that April.
The treatment left her infertile and induced menopause. 'The infertility was the biggest shock and heartbreak to get over,' she said. 'I went to see a specialist, but it wasn't possible for me to freeze any eggs before the treatment started. Whether you want to have a child or not, having your choice taken away is cruel.'
Bowel Obstructions and Ongoing Struggles
In November 2021, Aisling received the all-clear and underwent stoma reversal surgery. But a year later, she suffered a debilitating bowel obstruction due to adhesions (scar tissue) across her small and large bowel. Doctors said she would have to manage the condition long-term, as further surgery risked complications. She has since had four more episodes, the most recent in May 2026, leading to a laparotomy to remove adhesions. She is currently recuperating, hopeful for improved quality of life.
Raising Awareness
Aisling has chronicled her journey over six years to raise awareness for bowel cancer. 'I would never have thought it would be me to have that diagnosis,' she said. 'The things that come alongside cancer treatment are things I never knew happened – like being infertile and going through the menopause following radiation. I also have to take HRT and use laxatives every day.'
She added: 'But I haven't let any of this stop me from living my life. If this has taught me anything, it's that life is too short. Tomorrow is promised to nobody. If you know you don't feel right – get it checked. Cancer does not discriminate and your health is your superpower.'
