Danni Duncan never imagined her healthiest year would be the one that changed everything. At 39, fresh from welcoming her fourth child, she brushed off her exhaustion as normal life with a newborn. But the tiredness grew heavier, and the bloating lingered longer than it should have.

As a marathon runner and fitness coach, Danni trusted her body. So when she suddenly struggled to finish simple gym sets, she knew something was wrong. A dizzy spell in the kitchen finally pushed her to see a doctor — and soon after, she heard the words that made her world collapse: bowel cancer.

The diagnosis stunned her. She had no family history, no dramatic symptoms, and no reason to expect something so serious. Later, her surgeon suggested her cancer may be linked to childhood exposure to ultra-processed foods and everyday chemicals common in the ’90s — a theory that left her shaken.

Danni’s biggest heartbreak came when chemotherapy forced her to stop breastfeeding her youngest daughter. She had dreamed of completing that journey, and letting it go felt painfully unfair. Yet even through treatment, she tried to stay active, believing movement helped her stay mentally strong.

Today, Danni is cancer-free, but her follow-ups will continue for years. She shares her story to remind others — especially young adults — that bowel cancer is no longer rare in healthy people. Her message is simple: listen to your body, trust your instincts, and never ignore early changes.

For Danni, every day now feels like a second chance, and she hopes her strength helps others catch their own warning signs in time.