Don't Ignore the Elephant | Natalie Woodward: Bowel Cancer, Survival and Hope

This week’s guest is Natalie Woodward, a truly remarkable young woman. She was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer at the age of 36, but after a full year of treatment, the cancer started to grow. In the middle of the pandemic, she literally had the mother of all operations to remove it. She had to learn to walk again. To dance again. To accept she would never have sex again. And yet there is still hope.   She is passionate about balancing the scales when it comes to cancer treatment. Cancer poverty is a thing. Many people have to give up their jobs during treatment and worry about how they will pay the bills or keep a roof over their head. Not everyone is lucky to have a partner who can support them. Similarly, there is a real postcode lottery when it comes to trials and the latest treatments. If you live in a rural area, hundreds of miles from a big cancer centre, or you can’t afford to pay for something privately, you may get different treatments which could affect how long you survive.   I would love to know your thoughts on all of this – let me know. And please do find Natalie on social media and tell her how wonderful she is. Let’s spread the joy.   Natalie Woodward Twitter https://twitter.com/NatsWoodward Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamnatwoodward/   Find out more about Natalie: Twitter https://twitter.com/iamnatwoodward Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamnatwoodward Don’t Ignore the Elephant Knitting pattern  Use the code DITE for 20% off Knitting Pattern by Claire Fairall Designs  All profits go to the Institute of Cancer Research    Liz O’Riordan Instagram @oriordanliz Twitter @Liz_ORiordan YouTube @DrLizORiordan Website www.liz.oriordan.co.uk   Don’t Ignore The Elephant is hosted by Dr Liz O’Riordan, in association with Elizabeth Richards, proudly sponsored by AOK Events, produced by Bird Lime Media.