Bowel Cancer Month: Portsmouth mum Mandy Edwards' family keep her memory alive as they fundraise for cancer research after her death at 46

The family of a mother-of-five who tragically died after a battle with bowel cancer have spoken of their drive to stop such a devastating loss happening to other families.

Mandy Edwards, 46, from Copnor, Portsmouth had been undergoing tests for months before eventually being diagnosed with MUS – multiple unexplained symptoms. However, a raft of symptoms continued and it wasn’t until she was admitted to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, as an emergency, that a colonoscopy was eventually done in the autumn of 2021. She was found to have bowel cancer which had spread to her liver and lungs – she was just 42. It was a devastating blow for her and Tony, her husband of 25 years, but her sister Julia Wilkes explains how she faced the diagnosis with grace.

“Mandy was a loving daughter, wife and mother. She supported her children in every way she could and she was justifiably proud of their achievements. She was clever, witty, kind and considerate. She was a loyal and supportive friend and colleague, and a caring and inspirational teacher.

“Mandy was the rock who supported me and a source of great pride for our parents. She was never judgmental, always trying to see different points of view – truly beautiful inside and out.”

Despite what she was going through, Mandy, an inspirational maths teacher at Bohunt School in Liphook, was determined to continue being the warm and loving mother she had always been to Harry, Katie, Ben, Elizabeth and Clayton.

At first Mandy, whose children are now aged 27, 25 ,17,14,11, was consoled by the fact that she was young, and otherwise fit, and fighting the disease would therefore be easier. But when it was clear the cancer had metastasised she was told immediate surgery was inappropriate at that point and she began a course of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, she was found to have a genetic mutation which causes cancer to grow exceptionally fast and aggressively.

Julia says: “While this is quite unusual it apparently occurs far more frequently in younger cancer patients. Her youth, which had been seen as such an asset at the outset, seemed now to be her downfall. Her oncologist’s concern was that the strength of chemo required to combat this mutation would be more than Mandy could tolerate.

“In that event, chemotherapy could still be given but it would only be palliative. About two weeks later Mandy began chemotherapy with all the unpleasant, frightening and painful side effects this treatment brings.”

Following that round of chemotherapy she underwent a successful operation at QA to remove the tumour in her bowel. More chemo was followed by further surgery at Southampton to remove tumours from her lung.

More chemo was prescribed. She was preparing to go to Basingstoke for liver surgery when scans revealed the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes and further surgery was no longer an option.

Immunotherapy was given and while initial results were good, this improvement was not sustained. Different combinations of chemo and further new treatments were offered and Mandy accepted them all.

“Her fighting spirit went above and beyond,” said Julie, “and even when she was told to prepare for the worst, giving her a timescale of six more months, her parting words to the consultant were “I look forward to proving you wrong!” And with more chemotherapy, she did.”

She was so delighted to see her daughter Katie get married at Wotten House, near Guildford.

“But finally there was nothing more that could be done and Mandy passed away in March 2024. She had accepted everything with grace and dignity and a courage that had to be seen to be believed.

“At the forefront of it all was her overwhelming desire to protect her children until they had to face the inevitable ending. I hope that by telling Mandy’s story I can raise awareness of bowel cancer and can, in some way, help to prevent someone else having to go through this.

“I hope it shows that Mandy’s courage, and the incredibly strong way she fought this terrible disease, gave us longer with her, even if the ending was not what we all hoped for. We had so many more chances of creating memories with her in the extra two years we had with her over and above the initial life expectancy given.”

For more information on the signs of bowel cancer, please visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Why Mandy’s family are sharing her story

Mandy Edwards’ family hope by sharing her story they can also show the importance of funding cancer research.

Her sister Julia Wilkes says: “Since Mandy’s diagnosis, the number of new treatments and drugs that have been approved has been overwhelming – even in this relatively short time.”

Mandy’s family asked for donations to Cancer Research UK instead of funeral flowers, and Julia has taken on a number of sponsored events for the charity.

Mandy’s husband Tony, 53, will be participating in Cancer Research UK’s Bike Hike in June and the whole family is supporting him. To make a donation, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/antonys-big-hike-10