An Australian mum is urging young adults to pay close attention to persistent stomach symptoms after her own concerns were dismissed for months—until she was finally diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer at just 35.
Symptoms Doctors Missed
Sydney mother Gemma Farquhar began experiencing unusual stomach rumbling, vomiting, and bloating in early 2020. She visited four different doctors and was repeatedly told she had a stomach bug, parasites, gluten intolerance, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Still feeling something was seriously wrong, Gemma pushed for further tests. Only after insisting on a CT scan did doctors discover an obstruction and colorectal cancer. She was rushed into emergency surgery and given 12 months to live.
A Difficult Diagnosis and Aggressive Treatment
Gemma was initially diagnosed with stage three cancer, but further testing revealed it had spread to her ovaries, moving her to stage four. She underwent intense chemotherapy and a major procedure known as a peritonectomy, which involved removing several organs, including her uterus and ovaries.
Doctors told her the survival rate for stage four bowel cancer was around 14 percent.
Cancer Returns—but So Does Her Strength
In late 2021, scans revealed three small tumors in her lung. Gemma said the discovery brought back all the fear and trauma of her first diagnosis. She had to rebuild her strength both physically and emotionally.
Today, she receives treatment every two weeks along with daily medication. Despite being told she would become resistant within months, Gemma has now been stable for two years.
Living With Gratitude—and a Message for Others
Now approaching her 40th birthday, Gemma says she feels lucky to watch her children reach milestones she once thought she’d miss. She encourages others to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves when something feels off.
“It’s so important to ask questions and push for answers,” she says. “Early detection saves lives.”
