A WOMAN has told how she battled ill health for a year – then found out she had cancer after fainting on the top of Sydney Harbour bridge.

Nicki Pardoe, 39, was on a trip to Australia when she fell ill. She was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer after she went to her GP on her return home to Shoreham.

Nicki said: “I suffered from a bloated stomach for just over a year and I’d put it down to some kind of food intolerance, but it wasn’t until I fainted on top of Sydney Harbour bridge and was feeling dizzy on my return from holiday that I visited my GP.

“I found out I was anaemic and after a course of iron tablets I hadn’t improved.

“Luckily my GP referred me to a specialist and after a colonoscopy and CT scan I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in July last year. I had an extended right hemicolectomy followed by three months of chemotherapy, which finished in March this year.

“As someone who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at a relatively young age I would like to encourage others not to put symptoms down to a diet-related cause and not to be afraid to visit their GP.”

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting both men and women.

Every 15 minutes in the UK someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer. That’s almost 42,000 people every year.

Customer relations specialist Nicki is taking on the Step Up For 30 challenge in June to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer.

“For my Step Up For 30 challenge I’ve been participating in a variety of activities, including body combat, yoga and a dance class called Latin fit which I’ve never done before.

“I’ve also been enjoying bike rides, swimming and taking brisk walks along the seafront and nearby countryside.

“I’m taking part because it’s a charity close to my heart and if I can increase awareness of bowel cancer and that it can affect all age groups and raise money at the same time, I’ll feel I’ve been able to achieve something.”

Leanne richards, events manager for Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer, said: “We are very proud to have Nicki fundraising for us, it’s an amazing challenge.

“For us, at Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer, it means we can continue with our vital work of saving lives, enabling research and improving the quality of life for all those affected by bowel cancer.”

To register your interest for Step Up For 30 in 2019, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Donations can be made to: justgiving.com/fundraising/nicki-pardoe