#Walk together raising awareness for bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is a disease that is close to my heart, I personally believe that it’s a disease that is not spoken about enough and yet it’s the second biggest cancer killer in Wales. Cancer is a roller coaster of emotions and a ride no one wants to go on, I believe it’s a disease that we need to raise awareness off and to continue to expand peoples knowledge to save life’s. It’s a disease that does not just impact the elderly, my husband was 38yrs when he got his diagnosis.
Every year 41,800 people are unfortunately diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK, this is a shocking number. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Wales, every year 2,200 people are told they have this disease and an astonishing figure of over 900 people don’t manage to reach remission and become angels to soon. This is a figure that could be so much lower if only people had an understanding and the knowledge of the symptoms of this disease, which could encourage people to go and see the doctor and get diagnosed at an earlier stage meaning the chances of remission are so much higher.
Walk together is all about raising awareness for bowel cancer, its about bringing people together and supporting those that are impacted by the disease in one way or the other, its so important to remember that cancer does not just impact the individual with the diagnosis. For the first time ever Walk together has been to Cardiff and has been backed by TV presenter and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury, who’s mum has beat bowel cancer.
It’s said that physical activity can play an important part in contributing to a healthy life and I do strongly believe this. Physical activity according to the NHS can help reduce the chances of illness like heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes and cancer by 50% and even lower your risk of early death by 30%. A few years ago I started doing Zumba and loved it, I was just starting to notice a difference in myself but had to stop unfortunately due to personal reasons. Learning how physical activities can play such an important part in a healthy lifestyle this past year and seeing Roger continue to be strong and fight through his treatment and then being unable to participate in his sponsored event made me determined to start running and take part in the Race for life. I have since continued to run and along side Roger, which is brilliant as this time last year he was recovering from a huge operation. Since running I feel so much more confident within myself and focused with what I want to achieve from the days ahead, I’m feeling so much better and healthier within myself as well. Never in a million years did I ever think I would enjoy running and would ever feel these benefits in a just a few months.
As a family we are a pretty busy one but could do a lot more, so when Bowel cancer UK launched “Walk together” and for the first time in Cardiff I told Roger and did not hang around with signing us and the children up to do it. Bowel cancer uk are an amazing charity and have shared our story and others to raise awareness of a disease that can kill and can get you at any age…. There aim as a charity is to support everyone impacted by cancer and to have a world that no one becomes a star from cancer. Raising awareness is vital so come rain or shine we was going to take part in a 5 mile walk with many other individuals………and typical on the day it poured down!!! The rain did not stop us though, we participated and walked 5 miles in the rain with members of Bowel Cancer UK and other supporters. We got absolutely soaked but it was worth it, walking side by side, watching the elder children look out for their younger siblings, Roger protecting me from the rain on a busy road, looking over my shoulder every so often to make sure hubby was ok as he was taken in the scenery and in his own little world.
Cancer sucks and it messes with your body and life but it does not have to be this big black cloud hanging over your head. Let’s raise awareness and kick cancer up the ass!!!!! Talk poo and more poo to everyone…. If you have or think you have a symptom go and see someone. No its not nice talking about poo or going through the tests and examinations but it could just save your life………
Thank you to @bowelcanceruk for the photo
