Irish dad who lost seemingly healthy wife just weeks after diagnosis fights to lower bowel cancer screening age
In November last year, John Paul Ricken lost his young wife Susan to an aggressive form of bowel cancer aged 35 - just four weeks after her diagnosis.
READ MORE: Vicky Phelan's private funeral has taken place as family says they will 'cherish the memories' While bowel cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older age groups, it is one of the fastest rising cancers in young people. New research shows that people born in the 1990s are two times more likely to develop colon cancer than people born in the 1950s.
“If you have any symptoms, go to your doctor, be persistent and get checked out - it could save your life,” he said. In Susan’s case, sadly her cancer was diagnosed too late. Up until October last year she was seemingly healthy, with no previous health issues, until one day she collapsed at home with severe abdominal pain.
He said he keeps a picture of Susan in each of the children's rooms which helps to keep her memory alive. “I try not to focus too much on it but I’ll probably maybe spend time with the kids and do something with them, and try and stay as happy as I can on the day.”
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