At 45, Susan Schmidt, a mother of two and physiotherapist, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in September 2023—just four months after first experiencing symptoms she had brushed off. She initially attributed her extreme fatigue and constipation to menopause and stress. While on a trip to France, she noticed irregular bowel habits but assumed they were diet-related. Even when she later endured severe abdominal pain she described as “worse than childbirth,” cancer was not considered during her medical evaluation. That oversight delayed proper diagnosis and led to a late-stage discovery of the disease.

Now 47, Schmidt is using her experience to raise awareness about the often-overlooked warning signs of colon cancer. She highlights how stigma and discomfort around discussing bowel symptoms can prevent early detection. Emphasizing the importance of advocating for your health, she urges others to push for answers—even when initial tests are inconclusive. To support others facing similar struggles, she founded The Floozie Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Australian nurses and patients affected by colon cancer. Through her advocacy, Schmidt hopes to break the silence surrounding bowel health and save lives through earlier diagnosis.