A mother who attributed her abdominal swelling to menopause learned she had colon cancer when she noticed “speckled blood” in her stool.
Initially believing her symptoms were menopause-related, Natalie Hushin became concerned when her condition worsened. Experiencing difficulty passing stool and seeing blood in her stool, the 54-year-old sought medical attention and underwent a colonoscopy.
The examination revealed tumors on Natalie’s colon, leading to a cancer diagnosis weeks later. Following a 10-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove the tumor, the mother from Runcorn, Cheshire, underwent six rounds of chemotherapy.
Now advocating for awareness, Natalie highlights the symptoms of colon cancer, a prevalent form of cancer in the UK known to cause unexplained weight loss as well.
Reflecting on her experience, Natalie described the successful tumor removal and lymph node extraction during surgery. Subsequent tests revealed cancer in her liver, necessitating further treatment including oral chemotherapy and infusions.
Although treatment began in September 2025, a December PET scan revealed a liver tumor requiring an ablation in February. However, delays led to the tumor growing to three and a half centimeters by March, prompting a liver resection.
Natalie emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention after noticing unusual symptoms, underscoring the emotional turmoil of her diagnosis in June the previous year.
Colon cancer claimed over 900,000 lives globally in 2022 according to WHO data. Natalie’s early detection and subsequent treatments have enabled her to combat the disease, though she will undergo regular monitoring for the next decade.
Expressing gratitude for her skilled medical team, Natalie noted the importance of timely interventions to avoid unnecessary surgeries like the one she endured.
