Carole, United Kingdom
🟣 My Type 2 diabetes annual review led to a cancer diagnosis!
🟦 Today is World Cancer Day and this year's campaign is 'United by Unique'.
Many of my patient journeys have been unique, and many of my health related circumstances even more unique.
🟣 However, not once did I envisage my annual diabetes review (25 / 11 / 2025) would send me along a cancer diagnostics fast track.
🔹️ My blood test revealed 'iron deficiency anaemia' which set off a red alert.
🔹️ From there I was instantly put on iron supplements, (4 / 12 / 2025), but due to chronic bowel health I was taking it on alternate days.
🔹️ I was sent a 'FIT' test through the post. (The Faecal Immunochemical Test)
🔹️ This came back positive for microscopic blood in my sample. (11 / 12 / 2025). Put on the 2WW pathway for bowel cancer diagnosis.
▪️The 2-Week Wait (2WW) pathway is an NHS urgent referral system designed to get patients with suspected cancer symptoms seen by a specialist within 14 days. It aims for early diagnosis and improved survival rates, though over 90% of patients referred via this pathway are not diagnosed with cancer.▪️
🔹️ Telephone triage assessment with colorectal consultant surgeon (20 / 12 / 2025)
🔹️ Colonoscopy (29 / 12 / 2025) Advised of obstruction in transverse colon and that is was likely cancer. Polyps removed and biopsies taken.
🔹️ CT scan of chest, abdomen, and pelvis. (6 / 01 / 2026)
🔸️ Appointment with colorectal consultant surgeon (14 / 01 / 2026) for results of biopsies and CT scan. Polyps cancer free, adhesion was classed as an Adenocarcinoma 😪 Thankfully, localised and no sign of it in other organs or lymph nodes.
🔸️ I was informed that whether it was cancer or not I still needed surgery. An 'extended right hemicolectomy', major surgery.
🔸️ I have my pre-op assessment on Friday followed by an IV iron infusion next week because of the anaemia.
That's one crazy journey 😳
🟣 Alongside this I have just celebrated 12 months of 'no evidence of disease' regarding my Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Adenocarcinoma. (NSCLC) This time last year I had my last treatment and rang the bell.
Now another journey begins. There is only a very rare 6-9% chance that this cancer is my NSCLC!
Meaning this could be a second primary cancer and we'll only find out after it's been removed.
I lost my dad to bowel cancer in 1984 aged only 43. I am 52.
🟣 If invited for 'screening' please participate because symptoms often show when its advanced. I had no symptoms, but was fortunate that a different health review picked up the anaemia and led to colorectal diagnosis. If its not the NSCLC 🤔 in a rare occurrence 🤔
🟣 The FIT test and 2WW fast track pathway are positive tools to earlier and faster diagnosis. I am evidence of that.
🟣 If you have a persistent cough that doesn't go away... please don't ignore it! I was astounded to be told I had lung cancer.
🟣 And remember that 'smokers' aren't the only people to develop cancer!!
🟣 Finally! Cancer doesn't mean it's the end 💪 keep as strong and possible and get support when and where you need it. Believe that you can beat it 💜
My NSCLC radiotherapy oncologist was a bit of scary realist to begin with, but she was excellen with my cancer pathway. My immunotherapy oncologist was amazing with my adjuvant pathway and an angel 😇 as were all the other staff along the way.
Varying nurses, radiographers, radiotherapy technicians, consultants, oncologists, NHS patient transport, DAFT AS A BRUSH CANCER PATIENT CARE CHARITABLE TRUST are a lifeline to cancer patients and caregiver 😀 and many more.
Today is #worldcancerday #unitedbyunique
#patientadvocacy #patientjourney #diagnosticodyssey #bowelcancer #lungcancer #cancer #NHS