Trust your gut: Bowel cancer hits young people, say Kiwis diagnosed at stage 4

Two Kiwis diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer aged just 30 want their experience to inspire others to listen to their bodies, and seek help if something isn’t right.

Cara Cameron had gut issues for years, and recently developed anaemia when she was hospitalised with intense pain last year, but “you never assume it’s going to be cancer”.

“I’m a full-on person, and was always tired. I never put two and two together.”

The Auckland woman is telling her story ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June, and Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s annual Move Your Butt campaign – encouraging Kiwis to move more, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.

Aotearoa has one of the highest bowel cancer rates in the world – it’s our second-highest cause of death from cancer. More than 3000 Kiwis are diagnosed annually.

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