Susan Schmidt, a mother of two, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in September 2023, just four months after experiencing subtle symptoms she initially ignored. At the time, she was 45 and attributed her extreme fatigue to early menopause and life stress.

Despite being a physiotherapist with health knowledge, she did not consider bowel cancer due to the mild nature of her symptoms, including constipation and fatigue. On a vacation to France, Schmidt noticed unusual bowel habits but blamed it on rich food, not realizing it was an early warning sign.

She later experienced intense abdominal pain upon returning to Australia, describing it as “worse than childbirth.” Although a doctor cleared her, Schmidt emphasizes that cancer was not being looked for. This oversight contributed to the late-stage diagnosis.

Now 47, Schmidt is advocating for more openness around bowel-related symptoms, which are often stigmatized and overlooked. She stresses the importance of listening to your body and pushing for answers even if initial tests seem normal.

To help others, she founded The Floozie Foundation, a nonprofit that supports Australian nurses and patients affected by colon cancer. Through her advocacy, Schmidt hopes to raise awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis by breaking the silence surrounding colon cancer symptoms.