Cancer doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, says Hazel after Caithness rugby triumph
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Hazel Stewart is determined to show that there’s life beyond cancer – and her exploits on the rugby field are proving the point.
Five years after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, Hazel (41), from Thurso, was part of the Caithness Krakens team that won the National Plate in Edinburgh. In doing so, they became the first senior rugby side from the county to achieve a national honour.
“Through playing rugby I definitely developed a ‘just do it’ attitude,” Hazel said. “The girls and coaches on the team are amazing, strong and supportive. I’m incredibly proud.”
Hazel, who teaches early learning and childcare at UHI North, West and Hebrides, was only 37 when she was given the news that she had bowel cancer.
Before her diagnosis she had struggled with lethargy and stomach pains for about 18 months, and sometimes she wasn’t even able to tolerate water. Hazel’s GP believed she had an intolerance so Hazel had tried tracking her food and cutting out gluten.
It was the day after her son Camden’s sixth birthday in March 2019 that Hazel was taken to A&E with a fever and stomach pain. She had sepsis, and a CT scan found a perforation in her bowel.
“There was no mention of cancer at that stage,” Hazel recalled. “I had to go into hospital to get the sepsis under control for two weeks and then received a colonoscopy.”
During the colonoscopy, Hazel realised it was serious: “I remember watching the screen and seeing something really nasty. The colonoscopy showed pre-cancerous cells, but the tumour had narrowed my bowel so much they couldn’t complete the procedure.”
A week later Hazel had an operation to remove her tumour. “I remember being really scared,” she said. “I hadn’t really thought about the enormity of what I was about to go through until I had all the pre-op checks and was fitted for a stoma bag, just in case it was needed.”
Luckily, Hazel had spotted her cancer early and it was stage one – meaning it was treatable and curable. More than nine in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Scotland, with around 4000 people diagnosed every year.
“I feel so lucky that I only needed 80 per cent of my large colon removed and no stoma bag,” Hazel said. “This was followed by 12 sessions of chemotherapy and in 2020 I was given the all-clear.”
Sadly, while Hazel was going through treatment, her dad Peter Stewart was also diagnosed with bowel cancer. It had spread throughout his abdomen, so he was unable to receive any treatment and died in September 2019.
After her treatment, Hazel decided to take up rugby, playing as a loosehead prop. Five years after her diagnosis, played her part as the Krakens triumphed in the National Plate final at Murrayfield Hive at the end of April. They celebrated a 47-27 victory over Uddingston Selkies on Scottish Rugby’s end-of-season Silver Saturday.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be here to have experienced playing a sport in a national final,” Hazel said. “I really want people to know cancer doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. There is life beyond it.”
Hazel is backing a new Bowel Cancer UK campaign called Tell Your GP Instead, encouraging people to speak to their doctor as soon as possible if they spot symptoms. These can include blood in your poo, bleeding from your bottom, a change in your pooing habits or a lump or pain in your tummy.
More information about Bowel Cancer UK and the Tell Your GP Instead campaign can be found on the campaign page of the charity’s website.
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see Hazel thriving after recovering from bowel cancer, and huge congratulations to her and the Caithness Krakens on their recent victory.
“The earlier bowel cancer is diagnosed, the more treatable it’s likely to be. If you notice any possible bowel cancer symptoms, you should contact your GP and ask for an at-home test.”
