Laura Jackson put her fatigue down to being a “working mum” before a blood donation rejection led to a bowel cancer diagnosis. The 38-year-old from Southampton said she “disregarded” her tiredness while raising a one and three-year-old and working.
After being turned away for donating blood due to low iron levels, her GP investigated. Two positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) results led to a colonoscopy and gastroscopy in May 2025.
Tumour Found in Large Intestine
Doctors discovered a 5cm tumour in Laura's large intestine and confirmed bowel cancer. She required a third of her bowel removed during a three-hour operation in July 2025. Apart from fatigue, she had not experienced typical symptoms like blood in her stool, though she had infrequent diarrhoea up to three times in the year before referral.
A biopsy upgraded her diagnosis from stage two to stage three after cancer deposits were found in her veins, indicating it was attempting to spread. Six weeks after surgery in August 2025, she underwent four rounds of “mop up” chemotherapy over 12 weeks.
Emotional Impact and Awareness
Laura, now 39, said: “Everything kind of felt a bit surreal in that moment when the doctor told me I had a tumour. The first thing I thought was 'am I going to die?’ I thought 'oh my gosh I've got two babies at home, I've got to be there for them'. My husband was there with me trying to stay strong but he was crying as well.”
She encourages others to undergo a FIT test if something seems wrong. “I don't want to scaremonger but to raise awareness of the FIT test. It would have been left and would have spread if I'd not had it done. James van der Beek and Mel from MAFS died of bowel cancer and they were young people. I won't be the only person with no symptoms that has advanced cancer.”
Chemotherapy and Recovery
Laura iced her hands and feet throughout chemotherapy to prevent long-term neuropathy. She said the one symptom she “completely disregarded” was sudden episodes of diarrhoea. “Three times a year I'd have stomach cramps and need for a number two but nothing was happening. The pain was so intense and eventually I'd have frequent diarrhoea. Looking back I had a partial bowel obstruction so my body was having a meltdown trying to pass a bowel motion but the tumour was in the way.”
She currently has no evidence of disease but will remain under surveillance for five years. By sharing her story on TikTok, her videos have prompted others to request FIT tests. “My GP saved my life. I've shared for awareness. I thought if I share my experience and someone else is going through it they might be able to see the reality is not all doom and gloom.”
Symptoms of Bowel Cancer
The NHS outlines primary symptoms: changes in poo (softer, diarrhoea, constipation), needing to poo more or less often, blood in poo (red or black), bleeding from bottom, frequent feeling of needing to poo, tummy pain, a lump in tummy, bloating, weight loss without trying, feeling very tired or short of breath. Consult a GP if symptoms last three weeks or longer.
In the UK, people registered with a GP receive a FIT test automatically every two years from age 50, 52 or 54. If you qualify but haven't received a kit, call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
