Real talk about the shock of diagnosis, medical gaslighting, scanxiety, mental health struggles, and how to cope when life flips upside down.
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, the last thing you expect is to feel lonely. But for many patients, social isolation becomes a quiet, painful side effect. Friends don’t always disappear in a dramatic way, sometimes they just slowly fade out of your life. Messages stop. Invites dry up. And eventually, it starts to feel like […]
Social Isolation After Diagnosis: Why It Happens and How to Cope Read More »
It starts with a bit of bloating. A weird bowel habit. Some cramps. Maybe your poo looks different. You Google the symptoms and end up in a rabbit hole of “gut health” influencers trying to sell you supplements, drinks, and “bloat-free” guides. You mention it to a GP, and they say it’s probably IBS. But
When It’s Not IBS: How to Advocate for Your Own Diagnosis Read More »
This post talks about trauma responses, medical anxiety and the emotional impact of cancer treatment. If you’re struggling, reach out to a psychologist, your GP, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Early-Onset Bowel Cancer & Medical PTSD: Yes, It’s a Thing For most people, the word “PTSD” brings to mind war zones, accidents,
Early-Onset Bowel Cancer & Medical PTSD: Yes, It’s a Thing Read More »
Why Journaling Through Your Diagnosis Journey Can Actually Help When you’re first diagnosed, journaling probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. You’re dealing with appointments, test results, fear, exhaustion, and a brain that feels like it’s spinning in five directions at once. But over time, many of us find ourselves needing a way to
How to Journal Through Your Diagnosis Journey Read More »
There’s a phrase that haunts way too many young cancer patients: “You’re too young for cancer.” It might sound supportive. Reassuring, even. But for a growing number of early-onset bowel cancer patients, it’s not just unhelpful. It’s dangerous. Because here’s the hard truth: dismissal delays diagnosis. And in cancer, delayed diagnosis costs lives. What
Being Dismissed: Medical Gaslighting in Young Patients Read More »
Getting told you have bowel cancer hits like a truck. No matter your age, background, or personality, nobody is really prepared to hear those words. And in the middle of that shock, there’s one reaction that gets thrown around a lot, often with judgement attached: denial. But here’s the thing nobody tells you. Denial isn’t
Am I in Denial? Understanding Emotional Responses to Diagnosis Read More »
Scans. Scans. And more scans. If you’re going through bowel cancer treatment, or monitoring after treatment, you’ve probably had your fair share of medical imaging. But what’s the difference between all the types? Why do you need one scan instead of another? And what actually happens during each one? Let’s break it down: PET, CT
Scans, Scans and More Scans: What’s the Difference Between PET, CT and MRI? Read More »
For most people diagnosed with bowel cancer under 50, the story doesn’t start with a clear, fast diagnosis. It starts with being ignored. Brushed off. Told they’re too young. Treated for something else. And then, often months or even years later, told it was cancer all along. That’s the brutal reality for hundreds of early-onset
Navigating Delayed or Missed Diagnoses Read More »
Being told you have bowel cancer is one of those moments that splits life into a clear “before” and “after.” Whether it’s caught early or more advanced, hearing the words “you have cancer” is deeply confronting. In Australia, early-onset bowel cancer (diagnosed before age 50) is becoming more common, and younger patients often face unique
Coping with Diagnosis: Emotional Support Strategies Read More »
