In December 2022, 57-year-old Karen Kennerley from Lancashire began feeling unusually tired. Like many, she assumed it was just work stress.

“I was exhausted,” she said, working hard in a school for special needs children. But her fatigue turned out to be a warning sign of something far more serious—colon cancer.After a blood test suggested low iron, her doctor scheduled a colonoscopy to rule out anything major. That test revealed a tumor in her bowel. Doctors initially believed it was benign, but during surgery in May 2023, the growth looked suspicious. A later biopsy confirmed stage 3 colon cancer. “I was devastated,” Karen said. “From being told I was benign to then being told I have stage three colon cancer.”

Kennerley’s only symptom was fatigue—no pain, bleeding, or digestive issues. This highlights a critical message: colon cancer can grow with no clear symptoms. Tiredness alone can be a red flag.

Common signs to watch for include:

Blood in your stool

Changes in bowel habits

Persistent fatigue

Unexplained weight loss

Stomach pain or cramps

Click below to read how Karen’s battle escalated—and how she’s fighting back with strength and hope.