The Misdiagnosis of Bowel Cancer Symptoms in Young People.

Vanessa Mendico, a 29-year-old youth worker, was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after experiencing blood in her stools and excruciating stomach pains. Despite visiting her GP and emergency rooms multiple times, she was constantly turned away from hospitals due to COVID-19 restrictions. After being put on a two-year waiting list, Vanessa was given a colonoscopy and endoscopy, which revealed a tumour measuring 7cm in her rectum. She underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy and a major seven-hour surgery to remove the tumour and reconstruct her bowel. Vanessa is now in remission and is urging women to listen to their gut and advocate for themselves.