Brenda first thought something was wrong when she felt a lump during a keep fit class. She was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and had an operation to remove the lower part of her bottom, which left her with a permanent stoma. She didn’t have any chemotherapy or radiotherapy. She was diagnosed 17 years ago, and nowadays feels fine.

She sometimes feels twinges or pains in her bowel, and goes back to her GP for checkups. Recently she had an MRI to investigate any possible recurrence but it was all clear. Brenda sometimes worries that the cancer might come back as it has been so long since she first had it. She thinks that if a cancer survivor is worried about something, GPs should take the patient’s concerns seriously.

Brenda has been living with a colostomy for 17 years but has gotten used to it over time. When it was hot a few summers ago she got a bad rash under the colostomy bag and had to try different adhesives. She is still in touch with the stoma nurses who can offer advice on different bags. She wasn’t sure if she could fly with a colostomy but found some information in a stoma magazine which has advice on how to cope with them. There are still certain things she can’t eat, such as leeks or onions. Having access to a disabled key would be helpful as she needs to use a sink when changing her stoma bag.

She thinks that part of her recovery was due to her willpower and keeping positive through the whole experience. Her message for other people with cancer is that there is life after cancer.