A BOWEL cancer survivor from Croxley Green is sharing her story to highlight the importance of catching the disease early.

Sue Judge, 62, of Baldwins Lane, survived thanks to seeking immediate assistance from her doctor after she noticed irregular bleeding.

She was diagnosed in 2004, and shortly afterwards underwent an operation to remove part of her bowel.

The mother-of-three and grandmother-of-eight now volunteers for charity Beating Bowel Cancer, working as a 'Patient Voice' to support cancer patients and promote awareness of the disease by giving talks in the workplace.

Mrs Judge said: "The bleeding was the only symptom and otherwise I was fit as a fiddle and doing everything I would as normal, but I knew something wasn't quite right so I visited my GP.

"Throughout my life, hearing the word cancer has sent shivers down my spine and when I was diagnosed, it was a complete shock, as I have always tried to be very healthy.

"My family were wonderfully supportive but obviously extremely worried and it affected them greatly. There was nothing they could do to help me conquer the disease, they were totally helpless and it was very frustrating.

"Having said that, I am one of the lucky ones – if I hadn't been diagnosed early, I would have had to endure chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and I probably would not be here today. 

"After I was given the all clear I decided to turn the experience into a positive and have been volunteering for the charity since 2005."

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 38,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year.

The main symptoms include bleeding, constipation and diarrhea, weight loss, extreme tiredness and a lump or severe pain in the stomach, however these can also signify Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's Disease.

Research shows that more than 90 per cent of patients will survive the disease for more than five years, if diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.

Mrs Judge added: "I hope that when people hear me talk, if they are experiencing the same symptoms it will give them the incentive to get checked out, but unfortunately a lot of people are too embarrassed to go to their doctor.

"I would urge them just to put this to the back of their mind; you can't be embarrassed if you are dead and ultimately whether you are an ordinary person, the Prime Minister or even the Queen, we are all built the same."

For further information, visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org