My name is Sam Alexandra Rose and I’m a writer, poet and researcher in the UK. If cancer were a loyalty programme, I’d be four stamps closer to a free cup of coffee. I don’t even like coffee.
I had bowel cancer in 2010 when I was 22, at which point I had my colon removed and a colostomy for five months, which was reversed and an internal pouch was formed in 2011. A while after that, I found out I inherited Lynch syndrome from both of my parents, which is a genetic condition that makes it more likely for a person to develop certain types of cancer. Inheriting Lynch syndrome from both parents rather than just one means I have CMMRD, or constitutional mismatch repair deficiency, which increases my cancer risk even further. In 2018, I found out I had both uterine cancer and duodenal cancer (both diagnosed in the same week), and I had a hysterectomy (with ovaries removed) and a Whipple procedure (removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, the gallbladder and the bile duct). I rattle when I walk now. (Kidding.) I am very unlucky, but in other ways, very lucky. In 2025, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, and had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for this.
I have an MA in Creative Writing and in 2019 I started my PhD, which is soon coming to its conclusion. I am researching how writing poetry may benefit me as a cancer survivor. I’ve also written two memoirs: the cmmrd book: a mismatch memoir and guide and Gut Feelings: Coping With Cancer and Living With Lynch Syndrome, and my poetry has been published in over 70 literary magazines and journals.
I don’t think any of us are brave because we have cancer, but I do think it’s brave to be open about it and to share our stories. I’m passionate about telling my stories, explaining life with cancer and CMMRD, and helping to propel research towards a cure and better quality of life for everyone affected.
Use the links in the menu to see my latest blog posts, published poetry and articles; buy my books; or get in touch about writing, research, speaking and advocacy.