AN OLDBURY grandmother who threw two bowel cancer screening kits in the bin before
being diagnosed with an advanced form of the disease has welcomed a £5.5 million
investment in research.
Karen Stephens says she almost lost her life through ‘pride and embarrassment’ after
refusing to visit the doctor with tummy cramps and diarrhoea. She was diagnosed with stage
three bowel cancer in November 2023 and put on a type of immunotherapy, normally only
used for womb cancer.
Now the mum of four, who has 11 grandchildren, has welcomed the announcement of a £5.5
million grant from Cancer Research UK and partners to find kinder, better treatments for
people living with bowel cancer.
