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She later experienced intense abdominal pain upon returning to Australia, describing it as “worse than childbirth.” Although a doctor cleared her, Schmidt emphasizes that cancer was not being looked for. This oversight contributed to the late-stage diagnosis.
Now 47, Schmidt is advocating for more openness around bowel-related symptoms, which are often stigmatized and overlooked. She stresses the importance of listening to your body and pushing for answers even if initial tests seem normal.