Lucy Batizovsky | March 26, 2026 | Feature | Patient Awareness Programmes | Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Stage4You, mental health
Stage4You, a campaign funded and developed by Takeda UK and supported by Bowel Cancer UK, is encouraging patients with stage 4 bowel cancer to prioritise mental health ahead of and during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April.
Research indicates that of patients with stage 4 bowel cancer, 60% report negative impacts on their emotional well-being, 79% report feelings of guilt about the impact on loved ones and 73% experience isolation.
TV storylines, the news and disease awareness days can all be triggers for emotional change, increase anxiety or bring up unwanted memories. For some patients, awareness events, such as Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, can intensify emotions.
Dr Anisha Patel, NHS GP, bowel cancer survivor and patient advocate, author, broadcaster and Ambassador of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Recognising the mental load of living with advanced cancer and finding the right tools for your ‘mental health toolbox’ can make a real difference for patients.
“Different emotions co-exist and how you are feeling one day, can completely differ from the next, so being self-aware and giving yourself permission to feel those feelings is so important.”
People are encouraged to ‘take a self-awareness’ day by Stage4You ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. The day is for making a personal plan for how to approach the month, whether that be choosing to get involved, asking friends and family to do so or taking a temporary step back.
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Awareness campaigns are vital for increasing understanding and helping more people get diagnosed earlier, particularly for bowel cancer which could see over half a million new cases in England by 2040.
“For some people living with stage 4 bowel cancer, awareness moments can be a powerful opportunity to share their experiences and to reach more people.
“But we also recognise that, for others – or even for the same person on a different day – the increased stories, headlines, statistics and symptom messaging can make an already tough time feel even heavier.
“However it feels, what matters most is being able to choose. That’s why this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and every month, we want everyone living with stage 4 bowel cancer to know that support is there whenever they need it, in the way that works best for them.”
By bringing together resources from Bowel Cancer UK and other respected sources, Stage4You aims to support people living with stage 4 bowel cancer.
The resources provided by Stage4You include a guide on how to mute the word ‘cancer’ across social media channels, allowing for more control over content and a gentler digital experience.
Emma Roffe, Oncology Country Head (UK & Ireland) at Takeda UK Ltd, said: “With insight from the community, we started to understand that living with stage 4 cancer is deeply complex and the specific needs of the community are often unmet – leading to a sense of isolation and feeling unheard.
“That is why Stage4You is here to support people on their own terms and to help them feel seen – whether they need practical tips, encouragement, connection to others or simply permission to take a break.”
Other available resources provide support in finding community, one to one support, practical tools for organising life and how to nurture mental health.
Stage4You is provided with guidance and expertise by a dedicated group of advisors from a range of backgrounds, such as nurses, clinicians, psychologists, Bowel Cancer UK representatives, patients and their loved ones.
More information on Stage4You and its resources can be found here.