Kelly, WA

When the histopathology returned six days post-surgery, everything made sense. A slow-growing cancer: Carcinoid, or Neuroendocrine Tumour, a term only just coming into use at that time. My feelings? Overwhelmingly, relief. Validated after two and a half years of being dismissed. Some anger, too, but mostly relief to finally have a diagnosis I could understand and act on.

Before I was diagnosed, I had ongoing medical issues including bowel obstructions and endometriosis, which made it easy to dismiss my symptoms. But I started experiencing rashes across my chest, hot flushes, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Something did not feel right.

This experience has made me a firm believer in screening, early diagnosis, and specialist NET care. I feel incredibly lucky — and grateful — that my NET was found at such an early, treatable stage.