Just a few weeks after Dame Deborah James died from bowel cancer at the age of 40, shattered Shelby Preston was given the same terrifying diagnosis. “It was so frightening to realise what had taken her life was also growing in my body,” says Shelby. Thankfully, unlike Deborah’s cancer, Shelby’s was caught in the early stages – but only because of her perseverance in seeking help for her symptoms.
From around the age of 18, Shelby, who works for a local housing association, began experiencing episodes of diarrhoea, bleeding and abdominal pain. She also, despite a healthy appetite, was losing weight. “It would happen every few months and I saw my GP a number of times, and had several physical exams and blood tests. At first, I was told my iron levels were too low, then that I had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
“By 2022 however, my weight had dropped to six stone and on holiday in May that year with my boyfriend Will, 26, I began bleeding heavily. I knew something wasn’t right and I needed to push again for answers.”
Shelby was finally referred to a gastroenterologist, who performed a flexible sigmoidoscopy, also known as a bowel scope, where a camera is inserted into the back passage to look inside the lower part of the large bowel. “It was the first time, despite six years of symptoms, anyone had looked inside my body,” says Shelby.
“Lying on the bed, looking at the screen, I saw an angry looking growth, which was bleeding. I felt physically sick with fear. The doctor explained it was a colorectal polyp, which are usually benign, but he’d taken a biopsy.”
A week later, Shelby was given the news she had stage one bowel cancer. “I’d known, when I was told to bring someone with me to the meeting, that it wasn’t going to be good news, but it was still a huge shock to hear the word ‘cancer’.
“You never think it will happen to you, let alone when you’re in your early twenties.”
Sadly, Shelby’s experience of receiving a diagnosis of bowel cancer in her twenties is not unique. A study published earlier this year has also predicted a rise in death rates in younger patients from the condition too.
“I felt terrified but also relieved I’d carried on seeking an explanation for my symptoms, it could have been even worse news,”says Shelby. “I was told I could have a procedure called TEM (Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery) which is done via the anus, so I would have no incision or scarring. It would remove the cancerous polyps, leaving my rectum intact, with no need for a stoma.
“Or, I could have more major surgery where a section of my rectum would be permanently removed. I’d have a temporary stoma but there was a chance it could become permanent. The benefit was that there was less risk of the cancer recurring. My family and Will were so supportive, but ultimately it was my choice. I opted for the latter – despite the risk it could be “overtreating” the cancer, it gave me the best chance of living cancer free,” says Shelby.
Shelby’s seven-hour bowel surgery was a success and she spent the next nine months with a temporary stoma while her body healed. “I’d been daunted at the prospect of having one but quickly realised, if this was what it took to stay cancer free, then I just needed to accept it and learn to live with it.
“I connected with other young people with stomas on social media and that solidarity, and their advice, was so helpful,” she says.“In August 2023 it was reversed and now my bowel function is around 80 per cent normal. I still have times when I need the loo urgently, and I eat a balanced diet, trying to avoid foods it’s sensitive to.”
Shelby didn’t require further treatment, but has regular scans, scopes and blood tests. “So far, they’ve all been clear. It’s hard not to feel anxious in the lead up to them, and even an upset stomach can be worrying, that it’s something more sinister. “I’m trying to move forward from what I have been through, and trust that cancer is behind me.
Almost two years on from her diagnosis, Shelby wants to share the importance of never ignoring symptoms and advocating for yourself. “People my age believe cancer isn’t something that affects them, but it’s happening more and more.
“If you’re worried, don’t dismiss symptoms, seek help and don’t give up until you’re satisfied you know what the problem is. Being persistent saved my life.”
Shelby is supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s new campaign Tell Your GP Instead, encouraging people to speak to their doctor as soon as possible if they spot symptoms of bowel cancer