Cancer patient warns young people to be alert

Rebecca Rose Price, a special educational needs and disabilities teacher, had lived with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

A teacher who was diagnosed with bowel cancer wants young people to be alert to the dangers of contracting it.

Rebecca Rose Price, from Birmingham, received treatment for the disease while still aged in her 20s.

She is now looking forward to starting a family but wants others to be aware of important symptoms.

“No one and nothing can prepare you to be told you have cancer," she said. "My whole world stood still."

Ms Price, a special educational needs and disabilities teacher, had lived with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis but said the idea she might also have cancer never crossed her mind.

Her diagnosis only came after surgery to stop intestinal pain.

"I thought it was just my other illness flaring up," Ms Price explained.

Seek advice

Ms Price said she was sharing her story because she wants to encourage younger people to seek medical advice if they experience things like changing toilet habits or stomach pain.

Kate Adams, colorectal clinical nurse specialist at Walsall Healthcare, described the case as an example of how people who want to have children can start the process of egg retrieval prior to cancer treatment they might have.

Ms Price decided she wanted to freeze her eggs during chemotherapy because the process can reduce fertility.

Now in recovery, she is able to start the process of trying for a baby next year.

As well as praising her partner for being her rock, Ms Price thanked staff at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust for getting her through.

People have been encouraged to visit the NHS website for more information.