Bowel cancer patient urges others to 'persist, persevere'
A 44-year-old woman from Ireland is sharing her experience with stage four bowel cancer to encourage others to trust their instincts regarding health symptoms. Despite a late diagnosis, she is undergoing advanced treatment in New York.
Why it matters
The story highlights the importance of early detection and persistence in navigating healthcare systems, particularly for conditions that may present with subtle symptoms.
A young Westmeath woman diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer earlier this year is urging others and in particular women to trust their instincts, if they feel something is wrong.
44-year-old Jane Swarbrigg from Mullingar is currently undergoing treatment for bowel cancer, which has spread to her liver and lungs.
Last week the mother of two travelled to New York, where she underwent surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, one of the world's leading cancer care centres.
The mother-of-two said she knows she has a long journey ahead, but she said she feels very positive because of the "phenomenal" support around her.
"I feel like I have some extraordinary force field around me at the moment, that is giving me so much strength," she said.
It is five months since Ms Swarbrigg received devastating news, after tests showed blood in her stool and she was sent for a colonoscopy.
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