A mother from Scotland is on a mission to raise awareness about bowel cancer screening, following her own life-altering diagnosis at the age of 34. Kirsty Laing, a hospital worker from Paisley, has launched a petition aiming to lower the age for screening tests from 50 to 30, in a bid to help others avoid a similar ordeal.
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Laing began experiencing stomach cramps that she initially dismissed as common menstrual discomfort. However, her intuition urged her to seek medical advice, a decision she credits with saving her life. Despite her debilitating symptoms, Laing missed scheduled appointments for colonoscopies until her partner, James Mills, insisted on taking her to the hospital when her condition worsened.
A CT scan revealed a tumour on Laing’s bowel, which had metastasised to her liver. The diagnosis was stage four bowel cancer, a moment she recalls as life-changing. “From that point, I think my whole world stopped. I just agreed with everything that they said,” she shared. The whirlwind of the situation rendered her in a state of shock, making it difficult for her to process her emotions at that time.
Months after her October 2022 diagnosis, Laing has begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel as she undergoes a curative chemotherapy treatment. As she navigates her own path to recovery, she is committed to preventing other young adults from encountering similar challenges in accessing vital health screenings.
Laing’s efforts culminated in a Change.org petition, which has garnered over 54,000 signatures to date. She argues that while bowel cancer is historically associated with older adults, increasing numbers of diagnoses are being reported in younger individuals. Laing’s petition calls for crucial changes in screening guidelines to reflect this troubling trend.
“Together, we can strive towards a future where early screenings are available,” said Laing in her petition. “I want to ensure that the next 34-year-old gets the fighting chance I almost didn’t have,” she added. Laing hopes that by lowering the screening age, lives can be saved through early detection and intervention.
Her personal experience compels her to advocate for others. “I just want as many people to have a fighting chance at surviving if they are diagnosed with bowel cancer,” she stated. She often reflects on her journey and expressed regret over not recognising the signs sooner, questioning why she didn’t detect the disease earlier.
During her medical evaluations, doctors frequently inquired about changes in her bowel habits. Laing noted that, despite their probing, she hadn’t observed significant changes that would have raised her alarm. This highlights the challenges many individuals face in recognising symptoms that might seem minor or easily dismissible.
Kirsty Laing’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and being proactive about health concerns. Her advocacy and commitment to raising awareness about bowel cancer screenings not only reflect her strength as a survivor but also her determination to foster systemic changes that could ultimately benefit countless lives.
As she continues her treatment, Laing remains focused on her goal of changing the current screening age. Through her efforts, she hopes to educate others on the critical nature of early detection, asserting that it is vital for improving outcomes for young patients facing a bowel cancer diagnosis.