a cancer survivor whose quick action allowed her to beat the disease hopes her experience will inspire others to listen to their bodies.
Maia Kennedy's ordeal began while she was on the train Switzerland just before Christmas last year. She received a call from her GP to tell her that tests showed blood had been found in her poop.
When she returned to Britain, she was sent for a urgent colonoscopy where within minutes of starting the procedure it was confirmed that she had a tumor.
Shocked, Miss Kennedy called her friend to come meet her – she had been so sure nothing would be found that she had gone to hospital alone.
But because as soon as she started having symptoms, including going to the toilet four times a day, she spoke to her doctor colon cancer was arrested at an early stage. In the end, she didn't even have to undergo chemotherapy.
Now the product manager, from Hackney, East Londonshares her experiences to encourage others to report suspicious symptoms immediately.
She says she has always been “in the know” about her bowel habits because she has suffered from irritable bowel syndrome for years and so realized something was wrong when she went to the toilet more often than usual.
Her GP started her on medication for acid reflux, but when the symptoms persisted she went back and this time she was asked to take a simple test at home to check her poo for blood.
After the colonoscopy she had a scan to find out how serious the disease was cancer and it took a few weeks to get the results – which she said was the hardest part because she had no idea what they might find.
When she finally got the scan results, she was told the safest option was to remove the tumor along with part of her colon. She had surgery a month later.
Miss Kennedy said: “The first thing I checked when I woke up was whether I had a stoma – but I didn't need one.
“The results after surgery showed the cancer was stage 1: I also didn't need chemotherapy, which was such a relief, and I could immediately say I was cancer-free.
“I'm so grateful that I listened to my body and resolved it as quickly as possible. I can do the NHS High enough for the support and empathy they provided during my diagnosis and treatment.”
Six weeks after surgery she was already back to exercise, including preparing to run the Hackney Half Marathon, and started counseling to help her get better mentally.
She would like to help others detect the symptoms of colon cancer as early as she does. This includes supporting a bowel cancer campaign in Britain called Tell Your GP Instead, which aims to get people talking to their doctor as soon as possible if they notice symptoms.
These may include blood in your poop, bleeding from your bottom, a change in your toilet habits, or a lump or pain in your stomach.
She said: “The new motto I say to everyone is 'get to your normal bowel movements' when it comes to their bowel movements.
“I knew mine, so I could act quickly if they changed. I've had several friends ask me about symptoms and share their own gut problems, and my response has always been 'is it normal for you – and if it isn't, get it checked.
“I love that my diagnosis has made people question their own symptoms – if I can help one person then this whole experience is a win.”
Genevieve Edwards, CEO of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Maia has had a very difficult few months, but she did the right thing by seeing her GP as soon as she noticed symptoms of bowel cancer.
“As she says, it's so important to know what's normal for you, especially because not everyone will experience the same symptoms or they may have different symptoms at different times.
“If you notice that you have symptoms such as bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, changes when you poo or pain or a lump in your abdomen, contact your GP and ask for a home test.
“It may not be anything to worry about, but it's worth making sure.” Colon cancer is more treatable if it is detected early.”