Stage 4 Cancer Survivor Warns That Overlooked Minor Signs Can Hide Deadly Disease

Susan Schmidt, a mother of two and experienced physiotherapist, was just 45 when she began feeling unusually fatigued in mid-2023. She brushed it off as early menopause or the natural toll of daily stress. Even as constipation and subtle changes in her digestion emerged, she didn’t think much of it—after all, she was health-conscious and in tune with her body.

On a family trip to France, her bowel habits shifted noticeably. Still, she chalked it up to rich vacation food and carried on, unaware that these changes were early red flags. It wasn’t until she returned home to Australia and experienced excruciating abdominal pain—what she described as “worse than childbirth”—that she sought medical help.

But even then, the initial medical examination missed the mark. Schmidt’s doctor cleared her without investigating the possibility of cancer. No one was looking for it, and no one thought to probe deeper. By the time she was finally diagnosed, it was September 2023—and the cancer had already progressed to stage four colon cancer.

Now 47, Schmidt is in remission and using her voice to warn others not to ignore what may seem like minor or embarrassing symptoms. As a healthcare professional, she’s painfully aware of how often bowel-related symptoms are downplayed or dismissed, especially by women trying to power through busy lives.

To turn her experience into action, Schmidt founded The Floozie Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting nurses and patients in the fight against colon cancer across Australia. Her mission is to shatter the stigma that keeps people silent about digestive issues and to promote early screenings and persistent self-advocacy.

Schmidt’s message is clear: listen to your body, speak up, and demand answers. If something doesn’t feel right—even if tests come back normal—don’t let it slide. Her story is a powerful reminder that survival often begins with vigilance, and that ignoring subtle signs could have deadly consequences.