THE Spearman sisters, from Chelmsford, Emma (47) Lauren (40) and Stephanie (35) are united in their fight against cancer after Stephanie was diagnosed with stage 4 incurable bowel cancer at just 34 years-old. The young mum had initially thought her symptoms were down to general fatigue while holding down a job and being the mother of a young son.

Her diagnosis, the same as Bowelbabe Dame Deborah James, was devastating and also rare. * Only six out of 100,000 women in Stephanie’s age bracket (30-34) are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and more than 40% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed in people over 75.

To help raise awareness, Stephanie, along with her sister Lauren, recently held an hour long live Instagram chat discussing Stephanie’s cancer story, from diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. The conversation can be found here https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6ExDhroSER/?igsh=MXg3N29yZ3d5Mmw2cA== where, in an emotional interview, both sisters outline the importance of knowing your own body and being aware of any symptoms before it’s too late.

Stephanie, who works for the Civil Service said: “The Instagram chat is not about blaming anyone, this about awareness and making sure people have the right information to push for the right treatment to ensure their symptoms are taken seriously and quickly. It’s about listening to your body and taking appropriate action which could ultimately save your life.”

With no family history of cancer, Stephanie was not overly concerned when she started feeling tired with abdominal pains during a family camping holiday in Devon, she said: “I started with really bad stomach pains, cramping and a feeling like I had trapped wind all the time, I didn’t think much of it and I went to a pharmacy to get some indigestion tablets in the hope it would just go away.”

Stephanie’s symptoms didn’t go away but instead became more severe and frequent – requiring several visits to her GP and her local A & E. “By now I knew there was something seriously wrong with me,” added Stephanie. “I know my body, but I was constantly being told I probably had irritable bowel syndrome, I was even offered peppermint tea at one point and told to go home and relax. Not once was cancer mentioned to me and I think that’s because of my age and history.”

Stephanie, who lives with her partner Luke (35), said her abdominal pain became unbearable, she added: “It was like having constant labour pains and I could also feel a heavy lump on my right-hand side. It got so bad I went back to A & E but this time I really pushed for some answers.”

Stephanie was given an x-ray and told there was a shadow in her lower abdomen that needed further investigation. It was during a CT scan when Doctors discovered a tumour mass in Stephanie’s bowel, which required immediate emergency surgery and a number of biopsies taken.

Two weeks later and Stephanie returned to the hospital only to be given the shocking news that she had incurable bowel cancer, she added: “I was told ‘you have cancer’ -three words that nobody ever wants to hear. I can’t describe how I felt, it was just awful. I was just thinking about my six-year-old son Jacob. That day changed both our lives forever but I am determined to do whatever it takes to make sure I’m here for him and my family.”

Stephanie requires further surgery after the cancer spread to her ovaries and stomach lining, she added: “It was just another devastating blow because I always thought I would have more children but that is no longer an option for me. I will never be fully clear of cancer and for the rest of my life I will need chemotherapy and constant scans to check it has not spread.”

But Stephanie says thanks to research she remains positive and is taking each day as it comes, she continued: “Some people have been diagnosed with this type of cancer and are still living healthy, fulfilling lives five or 10 years later. You just don’t know what the future holds and you have to be positive, if not, it can just consume you. I’m fighting to live for my son and see him grow up, so I have no choice but to deal with this.”

To help support their younger sister Lauren and Emma are taking part in the Chelmsford Pretty Muddy 5k on July 14th to help raise awareness and vital funds for more research and better, kinder treatments.

Lauren, an influencer with nearly 50K followers, said: “To say Stephanie’s diagnosis was a shock is an understatement. The strength I have seen in her since then has been awe-inspiring. Her determination to beat this disease whilst remaining upbeat and wanting to support others makes me so proud to be her little big sister. “

Stephanie said she wanted do whatever she can so more people with cancer can live to see another day, she added: “I used to wake up and think ‘oh my god I’ve got cancer’ but now I wake up and I’m so grateful that I’m here and that’s all down to cancer research. I have never been more positive than I am right now. I might die from it, possibly in five or ten years, but treatments are improving all the time and I don’t fear cancer -most people are living with it rather than dying from it and that’s why we are doing our bit to support Cancer Research UK so people like me will have a better prognosis.”

It will be an emotional moment when the sisters support each other at Race for Life Chelmsford. The sisters hope by sharing their story it will inspire people to visit raceforlife.org and sign up for the mud-splattered obstacle course that everyone can take part in, whatever their fitness level.  

The Spearman sisters’ Pretty Muddy  fundraising page can be found here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/team-spearman

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.  

All obstacles on the Pretty Muddy course are designed with fun in mind and participants are free to skip past any which they don’t want to do. Obstacles include a scramble net, tunnels to crawl through, a mud pit, inflatable pink tubes, a climbing frame, space hoppers and a giant slide into a mud pool as a finale.   

Every year, around 37,400 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England* Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - moving closer to a world where everyone can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.   

 Patrick Keely , Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Essex, said: “We are grateful to Stephanie for sharing her story and also her sisters for their support.  

“We’d love for as many people as possible across Essex to get muddy to help raise funds for life-saving research. Our Pretty Muddy obstacles are designed to be fun and believe us they are! Pretty Muddy is not about coming first, it’s about having fun, it’s
all about acting like a big kid again.  

  “No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.** Race for Life and Pretty Muddy have the power not only to transform lives, but to save them.” 

 Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding 30 years of hope and progress. Money raised has helped develop radiotherapy which benefits more than 130,000 people with cancer in the UK every year. Cancer Research UK funded scientists led the development of the Human Papillomavirus Virus vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancers in the UK. The charity also funded many large clinical trials looking at the effectiveness of the drug tamoxifenand the research shaped the way the drug is used to treat breast cancer today.  

 Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country. 

  “By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and healthier lives, free of cancer.” 

 To enter, visit raceforlife.org