A mother was diagnosed with stage-three colorectal cancer after her low iron levels were detected during a blood donation attempt.
Laura Jackson’s physician recommended further investigation due to her low iron levels. Subsequent positive FIT tests led to a colonoscopy and gastroscopy in May 2025.
Although she attributed her fatigue to being a busy working mother, Laura had been experiencing occasional diarrhea episodes in the year before her referral, but not the typical cancer symptoms like rectal bleeding. Subsequent examinations revealed a 5cm tumor in her colon, resulting in a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. She underwent a three-hour surgery in July 2025, during which a third of her colon was removed.
Following a biopsy of her tumor, Laura’s cancer stage was upgraded from two to three due to the presence of cancerous deposits in her veins. She underwent a 12-week “mop up” chemotherapy regimen starting in August 2025.
Currently, Laura is cancer-free but will undergo monitoring for the next five years. Reflecting on her diagnosis, she emphasized the importance of early detection through the FIT test.
Initially turned away from donating blood due to low iron levels, Laura underwent further tests that led to the discovery of her cancer. Despite experiencing only fatigue as a symptom, she eventually had surgery to remove the tumor and underwent chemotherapy.
Laura highlighted the importance of paying attention to subtle symptoms like diarrhea, which she had disregarded. She emphasized the significance of early detection and encouraged others to be proactive about their health.
After completing her treatment, Laura is now on the path to recovery and will continue to be monitored for the next five years. She shared her story to raise awareness about the importance of early cancer screenings.