When 47-year-old Susan Schmidt from Brisbane began feeling unusually tired and constipated, she never imagined these mild symptoms were signs of stage 4 bowel cancer. Diagnosed in 2023, her life changed overnight — and now she’s using her story to raise awareness about early detection and break the silence surrounding bowel health.
Susan describes her first symptoms as “strange” and “subtle.” The fatigue was overwhelming. “I’d drive my daughter to rowing and have to nap on the way home,” she recalled. “That’s not normal. That was a warning sign, but I brushed it off.”
During a trip to France, she experienced constipation for the first time in her life, blaming it on rich food. But when she returned home, the pain became unbearable. “I ended up on the bathroom floor in absolute agony — vomiting, diarrhoea, pain worse than childbirth,” she said.
Initial tests showed nothing alarming, and doctors ruled out cancer. But when the pain persisted, a colonoscopy revealed the truth. “When I woke up, I could tell something was wrong. The gastroenterologist told me he had found a tumor,” she said.
Further scans showed the cancer had spread to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung. Despite the devastating diagnosis, Susan has remained strong and hopeful, determined to live life fully.
She urges others to trust their instincts. “Even if your blood work is normal or they blame stress or diet — push for answers if something feels off,” she said.
Turning pain into purpose, Susan founded The Floozie Foundation, supporting adult cancer patients and families across Australia. Through her advocacy and social media presence, she encourages open conversations about bowel health.
Her courage reminds us that listening to your body can save your life — and that early detection truly matters. 
