A WOMAN survivor thought her increased bowel movements were down to a change in her eating pattern after visiting Australia - but later learned she had cancer.
Sacha Stoyle, from Llantwit Major, was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer in October 2020, despite not experiencing symptoms associated with the disease.
Following a trip to Australia Ms Stoyle noticed she was frequently emptying her bowels but put it down to a change in eating patterns having been away from Britain for six weeks.
She said: “I noticed I was going to the loo more than usual, to empty my bowels. We had just returned from six weeks in Australia and I assumed that my body was getting back to a sensible eating pattern.
“It was when I discovered that there was blood on the tissue after wiping and in my stools, that I thought something was wrong.
Sacha Stoyle hours after surgery to remove the tumour from her colon in November 2020. Picture: Bowel Cancer UK
“It wasn’t every time or even every day, so I wanted to be sure before I went to the doctors and with the pandemic in full swing, I wasn’t sure about going.”
The 53-year-old explained how these symptoms prompted her to visit her GP in August 2020, despite not experiencing the common symptoms of bowel cancer such as weight loss, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, fatigue, or nausea.
Sacha and her husband Andy. Picture: Sacha Stoyle
Following an examination her GP referred her to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Bridgend to see a consultant in the colorectal department, and after examination of her lower colon she was sent for a CT scan.
After having the scan on October 27, 2020, it was discovered that she had a tumour on the left side of her colon.
She added: “I was so lucky my husband was allowed to be with me, as I am not sure I would have reacted by myself, but the lovely surgeon told me they were going to remove it."
Sacha at John O Groats 6 months post-surgery on a road trip with her touring caravan. Picture: Bowel Cancer UK
Ms Stoyle had her surgery to remove the tumour on November 17, 2020, after two weeks of isolation due to the pandemic.
She added: “At 9.15 am I was put under general anaesthetic and had an epidural and spent two and half hours in surgery.
“After an hour and a half in recovery, it was nice to hear my husband on the phone, but the first thing I did was touch my stomach and was delighted I didn’t have a stoma.
“After a four-day stay in hospital without my husband, it was very emotional when I was wheeled out to the car.”
Sacha at the first Walk Together event she organised in 2021 at Porthkerry Park. Picture: Bowel Cancer UK
Now three years on from the surgery, she plans to take part in a five-mile walk around Porthkerry Park this September to raise money and awareness of bowel cancer.
Ms Style said: “By going to your GP at the first sign of symptoms or even if you are just noticing a change in your body, you can get an early diagnosis which means you have a better chance of survival."
She added: “My bowel cancer was caught early and removed, with no spread to lymph nodes and no need for a stoma or chemotherapy. Early detection ensured that I am now cancer-free.”
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo;
- A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit;
- Unexplained weight loss;
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason;
- A pain or lump in your tummy.
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