Mum-of-three Carol is now urging others to seek help if they experience any unusual symptoms
When Carol Swann experienced a swollen leg and ankle after contracting COVID-19 she never thought it would lead to a devastating cancer diagnosis. The grandmother-of-four had caught the infection in 2023 and sought help from her GP.
It was during this consultation that she mentioned two symptoms she had suffered from since childhood that set off alarm bells for the doctor. But Carol, 64, had always thought these symptoms were “normal” and had previously received a clear cancer screening test.
Carol, from Chelmsford in Essex, said: “I have had constipation and blood in my poo since I was a child, so this was normal for me, and I never associated it with cancer. I was pleased when I did a home bowel screening test I was sent in 2022 and it came back clear.
“I felt quite well until I caught Covid in 2023 and I saw the GP about my leg and ankle, which had swollen up.” During this appointment, she revealed her past symptoms.
Carol continued: “After three lots of antibiotics failed to work, vascular conditions and blood disorders were mentioned, and that is the first time I told the GP about my history of blood in my poo. He said it didn’t sound right, examined me and ordered an urgent referral for a colonoscopy.”
The former preschool worker said she wasn’t initially concerned. However, the colonoscopy showed that “something wasn’t right”.
She underwent a biopsy, which revealed the truth – she had bowel cancer. Mum-of-three Carol said: “That did come as a shock, but I am quite a positive person, so I was reassured to be told the cancer had been caught early and was treatable with surgery.
“However, it was difficult having to tell my children, however old they were by then, that I had been diagnosed with cancer.” In May 2023, on the day of the King’s coronation, Carol underwent keyhole surgery.
Two weeks later, however, Carol received a call from her colonoscopy nurse to tell her that cancerous cells had been found in some of her lymph nodes and chemotherapy was recommended. She was offered a place on a clinical trial looking at whether chemotherapy is needed and at what dosage.
“I was glad to agree, as my mother had also taken part in a chemo trial at St Barts years earlier,” Carol recalled. “She was diagnosed with leukaemia when I was 12, and although the chemo made her poorly she did get through it, dying of unrelated cancer of the oesophagus 13 years later.
“I felt the chemo saved her life and I wanted to give something back. Of two groups, one of which was prescribed chemo by IV as well as in tablets and the other just tablets, I was in the group which had only tablets.”
Carol described the chemo, which she completed in October that year, as the “hardest” part of her treatment. “I suffered from constipation, bloatedness, extreme exhaustion, tingling hands and sore and blistered feet, although I didn’t lose my hair,” she said.
“I twice had to go to A&E and have an extra week’s break between cycles.” But after finishing her treatment, Carol is now doing well.
She said: “I’m loving life and looking after myself better mentally and physically.” Carol is now signed up to run Cancer Research UK’s Run For Life.
“In the past I ran Race For Life a few times in memory of my mother and friends I lost to cancer, and in June I did it again with my best friend and one of my daughters,” she added.
“It was hard with my sore feet, but the marshals were brilliant, and everyone was cheering me on. We raised £1800 between us, and it was lovely to see everyone running in memory of someone; I plan to sign up again for Race for Life this year.
“I have been making a monthly donation to Cancer Research UK for more than 20 years since my mother died. I think research is so important.” She is also encouraging others to seek help if they notice any unusual signs. “I want to urge other people to see their doctor if they suspect anything is wrong – I didn’t put two and two together myself and my own cancer was only found by chance,” Carol said.
According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK and second most common cause of cancer death, attributing for 16,800 fatalities a year.
The NHS lists the main symptoms of bowel cancer as:
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- A lump in your tummy
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason.
The American Cancer Society also explains that cancer can cause swelling in the body, known as oedema. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to your GP. Carol is supporting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Standard Life. For more information, visit raceforlife.org.