Rochford cancer survivor shares story and warning signs

Tasha Thor-Straten, from Rochford, was just 44 years old when she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in January 2017, turning her life upside down. 

However, the fitness fanatic has insisted her love of keeping fit and going to the gym – both pre and post diagnosis – helped her fight the cancer.

Now, the life coach has teamed up with the national gym chain, JD Gyms, to support Bowel Cancer UK for a national campaign across all its 80 gyms.

On Tuesday, Tasha attended her gym, JD Gyms Southend, in Purdeys Way, Rochford, to help raise money as part of a national fundraiser day which saw personal trainers and members across the country take part in spin bike sessions while talking about bowel cancer. 

Fundraiser - A charity event was held on October 24 at JD Gyms Southend with Tasha Thor-Straten situated between the spin bikes (Image: Tasha Thor-Straten)

She said: “It was January 2017, this had followed on from nine months of me ignoring blood in my stools. I had a stressful job at the time, I was ignoring the signs as I was busy with life.

“I had a rash on my chest, and I put it down to stress and it being a tough time in my life.”

Undoubtedly the impact of this life-changing ordeal has stayed with her ever since.

Tasha believes her active lifestyle helped the recovery process post-surgery.

She said: “Originally it was a terminal diagnosis, thankfully after two weeks of further scans and investigations, they said they would like to operate.

“I agreed, I was going to do everything I could to stay alive.

“I had keyhole surgery a few weeks later and the doctor said I am in such good condition that my fitness helped my recovery.”

Strong - A previous photo of Tasha (Image: Tasha Thor-Straten)

Tasha also had to undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and found the recovery period post-surgery difficult.

She said: “I had to slow down my fitness and what I was conditioning myself in, such as working out in the gym. At the time I felt great if I could get out of bed for five minutes and have a walk.

“I had to realign my recovery time for nourishment, restoring my batteries, and I reminded myself I would get back to a good level fitness, I just had to slow down, It was really hard.”

Important - JD Gyms held a national fundraising day to help raise awareness about bowel cancer (Image: Tasha Thor-Straten)

Active - Tasha took part during the fundraiser, and also held an online session for the JD Gym staff on bowel cancer awareness (Image: Tasha Thor-Straten)

Tasha has now been given the all clear from cancer. 

She said: “Having the diagnosis has reminded me how brilliant my body is and I have to look after it, I have to be the one to get up and get moving, it helps my mind and body.”

To donate to the fundraiser, click tinyurl.com/3v2j7mzz.