Perfectly healthy with no symptoms – but a routine check revealed bowel cancer

When Michele’s parents gently but persistently nudged her to get checked for bowel cancer she admits she didn’t think much of it.

Fit, healthy and with no obvious symptoms, Michele, from the US, had no reason to believe anything was wrong.

“I didn’t have any signs or symptoms at all,” she says. “I eat very healthily, I rarely drink, and there was nothing that would have made me think I was at risk.”

Michele says a growing awareness of colorectal cancer among younger adults in America prompted her parents to encourage her to get screened.

“They kept saying, ‘You’re in your 40s, you should get checked.”

So, she did.

The decision to undergo a colonoscopy would ultimately save her life.

She said, “There was some family history of the disease, with a grandparent having previously been treated for colon cancer, but there weren’t any real concerns. I felt completely healthy. There was no pain, no warning signs, and nothing of concern.”

Determined to seek the best advice possible, Michele researched the world’s leading specialists and was reassured when she met Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Nik Kamperidis at The London Clinic.

“I found him incredibly professional. From the beginning, I felt very confident in his care” she recalls.

The colonoscopy results came as a complete surprise.

Doctors discovered an 80% blockage caused by polyps and diagnosed Stage 1 bowel cancer.

“I remember being asked whether I was experiencing any pain,” she says. “The truth was nothing felt out of the ordinary.”

The diagnosis was difficult to comprehend and was completely out of the blue.

“How could something so serious be happening when I felt absolutely fine?”

Dr Kamperidis arranged for a second opinion, helping Michele feel confident that every possible step was being taken, which, she says, ‘gave me even more reassurance. I knew I was in safe hands.’

Dr Kamperidis said, “A colonoscopy identified both a very early bowel cancer and Crohn’s disease, allowing treatment at a stage when the outcome was far more favourable. Cancer in younger patients is increasing, and early diagnosis can make a profound difference.

“At The London Clinic, we offer rapid access to specialist assessment, advanced diagnostic investigations through our JAG accredited endoscopy unit and imaging department and a multidisciplinary team, ensuring patients receive timely, personalised care from diagnosis through to treatment. Our focus is on delivering expert care with compassion, giving patients the best possible opportunity for an excellent outcome.”

The aftercare was amazing at The London Clinic, she said, “They helped me emotionally as well as physically. I genuinely feel that from the Doctors, Surgeon Professor Omar Fiaz, to the level of support from the wider care team, from nursing staff to physiotherapists and nutrition specialists was incredible. Everyone was kind, attentive and reassuring.”

Her parents travelled to be with her throughout the experience, providing comfort during a difficult time.

“I remember waking up with tubes in both arms and watching my progress as they were removed one by one. It became a symbol that I was getting better.”

Within around 10 days, she was recovering well.

The small moments stand out most vividly in her memory.

“My friends who visited and I would go for walks in Regent’s Park. I had a private room, and the care and attention I received made such a difference.”

Even the food became part of the healing process.

“I remember getting ice cream and little treats. Those moments helped lift your spirits” she recalls.

A year after treatment, Michele attended a follow-up appointment and received the news she had hoped for: everything looked good.

Then came a sobering reminder of how differently her story could have ended.

“I hardly ever go on Facebook,” she says. “But one day I opened it and discovered that someone I knew back in the States had died from the same condition. He was only 45.”

The news was deeply upsetting.

“Unfortunately, it was too late for him. It made me realise just how fortunate I was that my cancerous polyp had been found when it was.”

Today, Michele is passionate about increasing awareness of bowel cancer, particularly among people who believe they are too healthy to be affected.

“There still isn’t enough education around how silent this disease can be,” she says. “Even in the United States, where there’s more awareness, people don’t always understand that you can have absolutely no symptoms and younger people need proactive screenings. When I met with the doctors here I had to be persistent – even without symptoms a screening is what I needed.”

Her own experience challenges many assumptions.

“I was healthy. I exercised. I ate well. There wasn’t a trigger. That’s why screening and listening to medical advice is so important.”

Two years on from her surgery, Michele remains under regular follow-up care and is full of gratitude for the medical teams who supported her.

“I trusted my doctors completely, and I had the best care possible.”

Dr Kamperidis said, “Michele’s story is a powerful reminder that even subtle or persistent bowel symptoms deserve careful assessment.”

Now she hopes that by sharing her story, others will take action before it’s too late.

“We check our cars more often than we check our health,” she says. “The best advice is often word of mouth, and that’s why I’m happy to speak out.”

Her message is simple: “Take care of yourself. Get checked. It could save your life.”

Book an appointment with Dr Kamperidis and explore our diagnostic services here.