A persistent feeling of tiredness, initially dismissed as a common symptom of motherhood, led to a life-saving diagnosis of stage three bowel cancer for Laura Jackson, who had few other symptoms. Her case highlights a growing concern among medical professionals: an increasing number of younger adults are being diagnosed with bowel cancer, with low iron levels often serving as a critical early indicator.
Jackson, then 38 with two young children, attributed her constant fatigue to her demanding schedule. However, during a routine blood donation, a nurse noted her significantly low iron levels. This finding prompted her general practitioner to order a faecal immunochemical test, or FIT. This at-home stool test, designed to detect microscopic traces of blood in feces, revealed alarmingly high levels, leading to further scans that confirmed the presence of bowel cancer.
"The first thing I thought was ‘am I going to die?’ I thought ‘oh my gosh I’ve got two babies at home, I’ve got to be there for them’," Jackson recounted. She expressed shock at the diagnosis, given her limited symptoms beyond fatigue.
This trend of early-onset bowel cancer is not isolated to Jackson's experience. Research indicates a significant rise in bowel cancer cases among individuals under the age of 50 globally. In the UK, those under 49 today are approximately 50% more likely to develop bowel cancer compared to their counterparts in the early 1990s. This rise has been noted in public figures as well; actress Mel Schilling died from bowel cancer at 54 in March, and broadcaster Dame Deborah James was diagnosed at 35, passing away in 2022 at age 40.
Experts emphasize that low iron levels, particularly low ferritin (the stored form of iron), can be an overlooked symptom of bowel cancer, especially in women. Dr. Philippa Kaye, a GP who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 39, noted that while heavy periods are a common cause of low ferritin, it can also signal underlying bowel issues. "If you are a woman with low ferritin levels, it’s always worth speaking to your GP about getting a FIT test," Dr. Kaye advised.
Following her diagnosis, Jackson underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of her bowel, followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy. She is now cancer-free but requires regular monitoring for the next five years. Jackson is now advocating for greater awareness of the FIT test, which can detect bowel cancer symptoms such as blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss. The FIT test is also offered routinely on the NHS every two years to individuals aged 50 to 74.
"I want to raise awareness of the FIT test," Jackson stated. "It would have been left and would have spread if I’d not had it done. My GP saved my life."