All signs and symptoms of bowel cancer explained as mum who died following diagnosis shared ones she ignored
A mum who tragically died from advanced bowel cancer earlier this year urged people to be aware of the symptoms of the disease in the final months of her life.
Krystal Maeyke, 39, passed away on 5 July, more than two years after she first began to notice signs that something wasn't quite right with her health.
But as she was 'fit, healthy, exercising daily and eating a wholesome, balanced diet', the mum brushed off her concerns.
"I thought it wasn't anything sinister," Krystal told the Daily Mail prior to her death, explaining that she ignored several symptoms for around three months.
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These included sharp stabbing pains in her stomach, which left her 'in agony', however, she initially put them down to possible 'food intolerances'.
The mum-of-one eventually reached her breaking point in May 2023, and she was airlifted from her remote home in Australia to the Alice Springs Hospital.
Recalling what happened when she arrived at the medical facility, Krystal explained: "I underwent a series of tests. That’s when I knew it was something serious.
"I was woken up later that night by a doctor whose words I will never forget. 'Krystal, I've got bad news...You have cancer'...I thought it wasn’t anything sinister."
'Cancer hurts'
Experts informed the mum that the cancer had spread 'everywhere' - and had taken over her abdomen, liver and ovaries after beginning in her bowel.
Krystal then realised that the disease was the source of the stabbing pains which had tormented her for months, while the strange lump she had felt under her skin was actually a tumour.
"Never in a million years would I think that I would have this cruel disease in my body trying to kill me," she said. "Cancer hurts."
Krystal also realised that bowel cancer was to blame for a host of other unusual symptoms she had experienced in the run-up to her devastating diagnosis.
She recalled how she had began to feel 'tired all day, everyday' but presumed her fatigue was a result of being a 'busy mum'.
Krystal admitted she also dismissed her irregular bowel movements as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although this is a common sign of bowel cancer which a lot of sufferers report.
'I would wake up during the night drenched in sweat'
'Persistent night sweats' also plagued the mum in the months leading up to her diagnosis, however, she believed these were just down to the warm weather.
Krystal continued: "I would wake up during the night drenched in sweat, enough so I had to change clothes and sheets. Some nights it would happen a few times.
"It was summertime and I slept with the air con on and a fan, so I just thought it was my air con not keeping up with the summer heat. So I ignored this sign.
"The relationship between night sweats and cancer is unclear. However, researchers believe multiple factors may be involved.
"Your body’s fight against cancer is one of them. Another is changes in hormone levels caused by the cancer and your body’s response."
Experts explain that time is really of the essence when it comes to bowel cancer, as the 'earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be'.
So if you seem to be experiencing any of the common symptoms of the illness, which can affect anyone of any age or gender, you should get checked out by your GP as soon as possible to be on the safe side.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
The UK's leading bowel cancer charity, Bowel Cancer UK, has shared a list of key signs for you to keep an eye out for.
This includes: bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo and a change in your pooing habits - whether that's going more or less often, or experiencing diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go.
Losing weight without explanation can also be a red flag, as can feeling excessively tired without reason.
Lastly, you will want to book an appointment with your doctor if you experience any strange stomach pains or if you feel a lump inside your tummy.
"Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have bowel cancer, but it’s still important to find out what’s causing them," Bowel Cancer UK says.
Prior to her passing, Krystal launched a GoFundMe to raise money for her young son Maison, which can still be donated to. You can check it out here.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Bowel cancer, Cancer, Health, Australia, News
Olivia Burke