“I didn’t feel sick”: Torquay father’s cancer warning

DANIEL Sladden did not feel sick when he completed a free bowel screening test, and that was what made the results so frightening.

He was running his own business and was a gym regular and surfing fanatic – then he was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.

The Torquay father has a family history of bowel cancer and had ordered a home screening test as a precaution.

When the results came back as abnormal, it triggered the medical system to act, and fast. As doctors ordered more scans and tests, it became clear something was wrong.

Doctors eventually found cancer in his bowel, which had already spread to his liver and lungs.

“That’s the scary part – it gets to that stage four without you even getting sick,” the 47-year-old said.

“You’ve got to get checked early and find it early because if you don’t, you’re in a bit of trouble.

“If you find it early enough, it’s a very treatable disease.”

Now, 10 months after diagnosis, the electrician is training between chemotherapy treatments to ride 370km in the Tour de Cure to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

Despite not owning a bike – he is currently borrowing one to train on – Sladden is determined to complete the three-day journey.

Inspired by Professor Richard Scolyer, a melanoma expert who rode in a Tour de Cure event while living with terminal brain cancer, Sladden said cycling had given him a new focus.

“I just decided instead of sitting around feeling miserable for yourself, I might as well just go and start riding and doing something,” he said.

“It’s actually been more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

“When you get out on the bike, you can just switch off.”

Before his diagnosis, Sladden had little reason to believe anything was seriously wrong, dismissing minor symptoms as part of ageing.

Looking back, he said small warning signs were present but did not seem significant at the time.

“I had some symptoms, like some blood in my stool, but it was so easy to just pass it away,” Sladden said.

“It’s just one of those things where you think it’s something else.”

For Sladden and his wife, Rebekah Saalfield, the diagnosis has also changed their perspective on what matters most.

The uncertainty around the future has been difficult, particularly while balancing work, caring responsibilities and financial pressure.

Saalfield said the experience has reinforced the importance of prioritising time together and with their son.

“It’s not a blessing obviously, stage four cancer is horrific,” she said.

“But it’s definitely taught us a lot about what is valuable and important.

“Being with the people you love is so much more important than the things that you have.”

While he continues to receive treatment, Sladden will keep training for his ride, which he will complete in honour of Saalfield’s mother and sister.

He hopes sharing his story will encourage more people to complete bowel screening tests and seek medical advice when something does not feel right.

“If it feels off and you’re not right, go and see a doctor and get tested,” Sladden said.

“If your doctor is pushing you away, go and seek a second opinion.”

Daniel Sladden is accepting donations towards his ride at vicdiscovery.tourdecure.com.au/daniel-sladden