Australian Mother Urges Early Action After Stage 4 Bowel Cancer Diagnosis

Susan Schmidt, a 47-year-old mother of two from Brisbane, Australia, received life-changing news in 2023 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.

Her diagnosis came after months of subtle symptoms that she initially dismissed—an experience she now hopes will encourage others to take early warning signs seriously.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Susan said her condition is now incurable, with treatment focused on extending her quality of life.

“The goal now is to stay well for as long as I can,” she said. “I’ll probably resume chemotherapy after my next overseas trip.”

Breaking the Taboo Around Bowel Health

Susan believes one of the biggest barriers to early detection is discomfort around discussing bowel health.

“I didn’t talk about my bowel habits—who does?” she explained. “That’s part of the problem. People don’t raise the alarm early enough.”

She described her early symptoms as “strange” and “subtle,” making them easy to ignore.

Early Signs She Overlooked

Several months before her diagnosis in September 2023, Susan began experiencing extreme fatigue.

“I’d drive my daughter to rowing and then have to stop and nap for 40 minutes on the way home,” said Susan, who works as a physiotherapist. “That’s not normal, but I brushed it off.”

She assumed the exhaustion was linked to early menopause.

Later, while attending a wedding in France, she experienced constipation for the first time in her life.

“I blamed the food—too much cheese, too much indulgence,” she said. “I didn’t think much of it.”

After returning home, her symptoms worsened dramatically.

“I ended up on the bathroom floor in absolute agony—vomiting, diarrhoea, unbearable pain. It lasted eight hours,” she recalled.

At first, she suspected food poisoning or an infection.

“It was worse than childbirth,” she said. “I was crawling into the shower trying to ease the pain.”

A Devastating Diagnosis

Initial medical tests did not reveal anything alarming. Blood and stool samples appeared normal, and cancer was not immediately suspected.

It was only after undergoing a colonoscopy that doctors discovered a tumor.

“When I woke up, I knew something was wrong,” Susan said. “They didn’t offer food or drink. The gastroenterologist came in and told me he had found a tumor.”

Further scans revealed that the cancer had spread to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung.

The diagnosis: advanced, metastatic bowel cancer.

A Message to Others: Trust Your Instincts

Susan now speaks openly about her experience to encourage people not to ignore persistent symptoms.

“I want people to push for answers if something feels off,” she said.

“Even if blood tests are normal. Even if they say it’s stress, hormones, or diet—listen to your instincts.”

She stresses that bowel cancer does not always present with obvious warning signs such as blood in the stool.

Her early symptoms were mainly fatigue, constipation, and intermittent pain.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

Since her diagnosis, Susan has founded The Floozie Foundation, an organization that supports cancer patients and families in adult hospital wards across Australia.

The foundation focuses on emotional support, comfort care, and advocacy for people navigating serious illness.

Despite ongoing chemotherapy and physical challenges, Susan remains committed to helping others.

Her social media updates show her continuing treatment while maintaining an active role in awareness efforts.

A Reminder About Early Detection

Medical experts consistently emphasize that bowel cancer outcomes improve significantly when the disease is detected early. Unfortunately, vague symptoms and social stigma often delay diagnosis.

Susan’s story highlights how easily warning signs can be overlooked—and how critical it is to seek further testing when symptoms persist.

Common early symptoms may include:

• Ongoing fatigue

• Changes in bowel habits

• Abdominal pain

• Unexplained weight loss

• Persistent constipation or diarrhea

While these symptoms are often linked to less serious conditions, Susan urges people not to assume.

“You’re Not Alone”

Today, Susan continues her treatment journey with determination and honesty. She shares her story not for sympathy, but to protect others.

“I want people to know they’re allowed to speak up,” she said. “Your health is worth it.”

Her experience serves as a powerful reminder that listening to your body—and advocating for yourself—can make a life-saving difference.

As she continues her fight, Susan remains focused on helping others feel less alone in theirs.