Verity Johnson

Verity Johnson has become an expert on something she never expected to know much about – bowel cancer.
At the age of 45, she was having trouble going to the toilet, but she put it down to piles. When her GP referred her to a specialist, she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.
Verity didn't want to have surgery and instead opted to try alternative treatments, including juicing, colonic irrigation and meditation.
“I spent $10,000 on all these different treatments and I felt like I was getting better. I was losing weight and I felt really good,” Verity says.

“I had a blood test in November, and my tumor markers had gone up significantly. And the tumors were still growing.”
Verity's experience is not uncommon. Many people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, and many of them are not aware of the symptoms.
According to the Australian Cancer Council, bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Australia, and the second leading cause of cancer death. It is estimated that one in 13 Australians will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime.
The good news is that bowel cancer is often curable if it is diagnosed early. However, many people do not experience any symptoms in the early stages, which is why it is important to be aware of the risk factors and to get regular checkups.
The risk factors for bowel cancer include:

Being over the age of 50
Having a family history of bowel cancer
Eating a diet that is high in red meat and processed meats
Being overweight or obese
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Having a sedentary lifestyle

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

Changes in bowel habit, such as diarrhea, constipation, or changes in stool size or shape
Blood in the stool
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Weight loss
Fatigue
Iron deficiency anemia

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see your GP for a checkup.
Early diagnosis of bowel cancer can lead to successful treatment.
There are a number of different treatments for bowel cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The type of treatment that is recommended will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and the patient's preferences.
If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.