Krystal Maeyke, a fit and healthy 37-year-old mum, first dismissed her sharp stomach pains as a food allergy. “At first I thought I would get checked for food intolerances,” she said. Despite a healthy lifestyle, the pain worsened over three months until she was airlifted from remote Yulara to a hospital 280 miles away. There, she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer.

“The doctor said, ‘Krystal, I’ve got bad news… You have cancer.’ I asked, ‘How do you know?’ and he said, ‘It’s everywhere.’” The disease had already spread to her liver, ovaries, and abdomen. She later realized the stabbing pains she felt were the cancer taking over her body.

Krystal had other warning signs—night sweats, fatigue, and irregular bowel movements—which she dismissed. “I thought it was the summer heat or just being a busy mum,” she explained. Now 39, she shares her journey on TikTok to raise awareness and has started a GoFundMe for her 12-year-old son, Maison.

Rates of bowel cancer in under-50s are rising worldwide. While often linked to obesity, many like Krystal are healthy, suggesting other causes like environmental exposures. Experts urge people to take symptoms seriously, as early detection improves survival.