'I put years of pain down to IBS symptoms before doctors gave me shattering diagnosis'

A mum-of-two was devastated to receive a life-threatening diagnosis after spending years blaming her bowel issues on irritable bowel syndrome.

Gemma Crossley, 41, from Golborne, had long believed she was suffering with irritable bowel syndrome.

But it wasn't until she saw a social media post by Dame Deborah James, who had battled bowel cancer for six years, that she went to her GP to get her painful symptoms, including worrying bleeding, checked out.

Gemma told the Manchester Evening News: “If it wasn’t for Debs, I’m not sure when I would’ve been diagnosed.

“I’d spent years with bowel issues, which I’d always put down to irritable bowel syndrome. I had never thought it was cancer.

The mum of two decided to get her symptoms checked out after seeing a post from Dame Deborah James (Gemma Crossley)

"Then a post from Deb was a real red flag for me. So, I went back to the GP as the pain was getting worse and I had noticed some bleeding. It was then that they found a lump, and I was referred straight away.

"I owe Debs so much for that post."

Gemma, who is a receptionist and mum of two, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2020. She underwent five weeks of radiotherapy at The Christie in Manchester, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy and extensive surgery at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan - which left her with a permanent colostomy bag.

Gemma underwent rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (Gemma Crossley)

Gemma underwent gruelling cancer treatment at an immensely difficult time as the Covid-19 pandemic took over the world.

“It was an awful and isolating time for me going through it all during Covid," she explained. "My husband, Andrew, couldn’t come to anything with me.

"He had to stay outside while I had chemo, and he couldn’t visit during my stay in hospital for the surgery. I was all by myself, it was dreadful, but I’m alive.

Gemma ran the Race for Life just months after doctors told her the cancer was gone (Gemma Crossley)

“Bowel cancer can affect anyone. Get to know what’s normal for you, and if you’re worried about changes, speak to your GP. I had stage three lower rectal cancer and I had no idea. So getting checked might just save your life.”

By July 2021, doctors told Gemma there was no sign of cancer, and - not slowed down by her recovery - that autumn she took part in her first Race for Life.

Gemma continued: “Race for Life is such a great cause.

“The money helps so many people. By contributing to the research that’s being done now, we can help improve the future.”