A Kiwi woman who discovered she had bowel cancer after going to the toilet is urging people who notice any changes to go and get checked.
Aucklander Tamsyn Cornwall was always fit and healthy and never suspected at the age of 31 she would be diagnosed with cancer.
Cornwall had been dealing with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) since the age of eight, however, her new symptoms were like nothing she had seen or experienced before.
Excruciating stomach pains, major changes in her bowel movements and finding huge amounts of blood in the toilet were just some of the changes in her everyday life.
"The amount of blood in the toilet was that of a crime scene, the fatigue I was feeling was quite paralysing and the frequency in needing to use the loo exceeded over 15 times a day," Cornwall told 7News.
"I was nauseous, really unwell. I knew I needed to see a doctor."
Cornwall met with her specialist where she was referred for blood tests and a colonoscopy.
After having her CT and MRI scans, she received a distressing call recommending she bring a "support person" to her next appointment.
In August 2020, sitting beside her mother, Cornwall was told she had stage three bowel cancer - just two months after she saw severe blood in her stool.
"I felt a wave of sadness. It was really shocking and heartbreaking, I just couldn't stop crying," she told 7News.
She revealed one of the hardest experiences she had was being told she might not be able to have children.
"I didn't realise I wanted to be a mum so much until I was almost 'forced' to re-evaluate my whole life."
She told 7News she had to go through an "egg-freezing process" before starting chemotherapy.
Cornwall had her colon removed during a major surgery and underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy within six months.
She warns people who notice any difference in their everyday lives to go and visit their doctor.
"If you witness any differences with your poop - whether that's mucus, blood, a different consistency, colour, frequency, difficulty going - or [you are] getting super tired, have severe pain, feeling extremely nauseous or strange lumps, go get checked," she said.
"Life is too short so the sooner you check, the better."
