School teacher and mum of 3 daughters under 6, Helen Dunne was just 36 when diagnosed with Bowel Cancer (Colorectal Cancer). Hailing from Cavan but now living in Dublin with her husband Jamie and their daughters, the young mum thought that her initial symptoms were down to haemorrhoids but thankfully her doctor felt that further investigation would be beneficial. Helen featured in our 2024 #NoRegrets campaign (you can watch her video from last year above). Helen is supporting us and lending her voice once again to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer.

This is Helen’s story.

“I was experiencing bleeding during my last pregnancy and after. I was told it was hemorrhoids. The bleeding turned a little darker, so I went to my GP she examined me and said it probably was hemorrhoids but also said that with any bleeding she liked further investigation. Thankfully I had private health insurance and was seen very quickly.

They found something during my colonoscopy, and I had to wait a week for results I was devastated to hear it was rectal cancer my youngest daughter was 7 months old. I had just gone back to work after maternity leave, I am a primary school teacher. I attended St. Vincent’s Private Hospital for my treatment, and it happened very quickly. I got chemo every two weeks for 6 months. It was tough but I got through it with help of family and friends. Losing my hair was a really bad time for me because my girls had a lot of questions. I responded very well to chemo and didn’t need radiation so had my surgery in January 2024.

I was told in February 2024 by my surgeon that my biopsies were clear after surgery, so no more treatment was needed. I dealt with bad neuropathy as a side effect of my treatment. I am hoping this will go soon. If I were to make one final point it is that you are never too young to get bowel cancer and get checked if you have symptoms. ”

Helen is now back at work full time and doing well thanks to early detection.