Bowel cancer survivor shows off colostomy bag on catwalk

By Ben Barry via SWNS

A bowel cancer survivor is taking the pageant world by storm - proudly showing off her colostomy bag on the catwalk.

Karen Bucknall, 52, was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in April 2019 after experiencing blood in her stool and stomach pains.

She had to undergo an operation to have a stoma hole fitted for the colostomy bag in November 2019 and experienced a mini-stroke while in theatre.

Doctors also discovered cancer had spread to her nearby lymph nodes and into her vagina.

But after 15 months of treatment - involving radiotherapy and chemotherapy - Karen was given the all-clear.

Karen's battle left her needing a colostomy bag - a pouch that can be placed over the stoma to collect your poop - because of where the cancer was located.

And while she still needs regular checkups, she now wants to remove the stigma around what she labelled her "bag for life" - and shows off her colostomy bag in contests.

Her body confidence has already seen her win awards including last year's Princess of Hearts and Classic Miss Magical Smile 2023.

Karen, a journalist, from Cheltenham, UK, said: "The pageant world, my pageant journey and my pageant friends saved me.

"Winning pageant titles, awards, doing my charity public awareness and fundraising work is a chance for me to give something back to charities and the NHS (National Health Service).

"It also gives me purpose and I want to be a role model for those who are struggling with their health and well-being.

"I want to help to empower women and children and work with all the wonderful people I meet to raise awareness of invisible disabilities.“

Karen experienced symptoms - including severe stomach pain and frequent blood in her stool - in January 2019.

But claims she was sent away by her GP without further testing - after being told she had piles.

Two months later, after her symptoms continually worsened, Karen sought a second opinion.

And after a stomach examination, she was sent to the hospital for a biopsy and told she had a tumor.

A colonoscopy later revealed she had stage three bowel cancer.

After undergoing grueling rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she was eventually given the all-clear.

She now wants to campaign to end the stigma around the disease and says entering pageants and modeling while showing off her stoma bag helps to do that.

Karen added: "I was relieved to know but I was shocked as I was halfway through my degree.

"I went home and told my family my mum burst into tears.

"There is an element of taboo with bowel cancer.

"Bowel Babe did very well in trying to get rid of the stigma of talking about poo and checking your poo but we have a long way to go.

"As embarrassing as it is, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

"There are a lot of people out there that will help you cope with bowel cancer."

"You have nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about."

Karen underwent radiotherapy in June 2019 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

She said: "I had six weeks of intense radiotherapy it was Monday to Friday and then Friday I would receive a double dose.

"I would be crawling back to the bus stop and I would just sleep the whole weekend."

In November 2019, Karen had an operation to take out her tumor and install a colostomy bag.

Karen said she has a love-hate relationship with her "bag for life" but is grateful it saved her life.

She said: "It is a love-hate relationship, it saved my life and it gave me freedom.

"I can still wear what I want - I go swimming, I can do everything I could do before it doesn't stop me.

"But I do hate it, I have no immune system. If I am around someone who is ill I will pick that up and I hate it sometimes.

"I have to be careful about eating certain foods like dairy as my bowels will literally run and run.

"Being diagnosed with cancer, you see the world differently. It is not the end but it is the start of a new chapter of your life.

"You will appreciate the beauty of people and you will see how life is a gift."