Australian Mother Warns Others After Overlooking Subtle Signs of Bowel Cancer
When 47-year-old Susan Schmidt from Brisbane, Australia, began feeling unusually tired and constipated, she never imagined these mild symptoms were signs of stage 4 bowel cancer. Her diagnosis in 2023 changed her life — and now, she’s determined to use her story to raise awareness about early detection and break the silence surrounding bowel health.
A Taboo Topic Few Want to Discuss
“Strange” and “subtle.”
That’s how Susan describes the first symptoms she experienced before her life-altering diagnosis.
“The diagnosis is incurable,” Susan told the Daily Mail. “The goal now is to stay well for as long as I can. I’ll probably resume chemotherapy after my next overseas trip.”
She believes that many people delay seeking medical advice because discussing bowel habits remains taboo.
“I didn’t talk about my bowel habits — who does?” she said. “That’s part of the problem with bowel cancer. People don’t raise the alarm early enough.”
Early Symptoms She Ignored
Susan’s first warning sign was extreme fatigue that persisted for months. At the time, she thought it was menopause.
“I’d drive my daughter 15 minutes to rowing, then have to stop on the way home and nap for 40 minutes,” she recalled. “That’s not normal. That was a warning sign, but I brushed it off.”
During a trip to France, she noticed constipation for the first time in her life but blamed it on “too much cheese and rich food.”
However, upon returning home to Brisbane, the pain became unbearable.
“I ended up on the bathroom floor in absolute agony — vomiting, diarrhoea, unbearable pain. It lasted for eight hours,” she said. “It was worse than childbirth.”
Initially, doctors ruled out cancer after her blood and stool tests came back normal. But when her pain intensified, she underwent a colonoscopy that revealed devastating news.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
“When I woke from the colonoscopy, I could tell something was wrong. The gastroenterologist told me he had found a tumor,” Susan said.
Further scans revealed the cancer had spread to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung. Despite the advanced diagnosis, Susan continues to fight with strength and hope.
Her Message: Trust Your Instincts
Susan urges others to take even minor symptoms seriously and to advocate for their own health.
“I want people to know the signs. Push for answers if something feels off,” she said. “Even if your blood work is normal, even if they say it’s stress, diet, or hormones — listen to your instincts.”
Turning Pain into Purpose
Determined to make a difference, Susan founded The Floozie Foundation, which supports adult cancer patients and their families across Australia. Through her advocacy, she hopes to destigmatize conversations about bowel health and encourage early testing.
Now undergoing ongoing chemotherapy, Susan shares her journey on Instagram, inspiring thousands with her honesty and resilience.
Susan’s story is a powerful reminder that listening to your body can save your life. Early detection matters — and talking about uncomfortable symptoms might just be the key to saving someone else’s.
Our thoughts are with you, Susan — your courage is helping others every day. 💛
