A STAGE 3 Malvern cancer survivor has credited the Bowel Cancer screening programme at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for saving his life and is urging others to take the test.
Julian Turner MBE aged 64 from Menith Wood was sent a home test kit, called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) two years ago.
As part of the test, a small stool sample is sent to a lab where it is checked for tiny amounts of blood.
Julian received a follow up call to book him into a colonoscopy for further checks.
“I had absolutely no symptoms of bowel cancer. I have always been very active,” he said.
“Me and my wife Annette like walking and eat healthily and only two days before my colonoscopy we were wild camping so the thought of having cancer had not entered my mind.”
During the colonoscopy it was found Julian had a tumour, seven growths called polyps and the cancer had already spread to a lymph node.
He said: “My family and I were devastated to be told I had Stage 3 bowel cancer.”
“Within weeks I was booked in for an operation to remove the cancerous cells and have chemotherapy.
“This was the during the height of Covid, but I was looked after remarkably well by Clinical Consultant Stephen Lake and his team and Dr Murakesh and his team in Oncology who altered the chemotherapy treatment for me after also discovering I had an enzyme deficiency.”
Retired police constable Julian who is married to Annette with a 32-year-old daughter who lives locally donated £500 to the Bowel Cancer screening programme raised by St Johns Lodge of Freemasons in Kidderminster.
Freemasonry is the second biggest giver in charitable donation to the National Lottery.
“Without a shadow of doubt, the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme saved my life and I realise how fortunate I am compared to others I know who have reached Stage 4.
“I have been telling all my friends and anyone who will listen, if you get the test sent home, take it and send it back. There is no need to be squeamish. Take it from me, my experience and those of others less fortunate, the worst thing you can do is ignore it.”
Mr Lake added: “The local team are understandably pleased to have been able to detect and arrange the treatment for Julian. We are also delighted that he is encouraging other to do take the FIT test.”
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer. Screening can help prevent this type of cancer or find it at an early stage, when it’s easier to treat.
Everyone aged 60 to 74 years who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every two years.
The programme is expanding so everyone aged 50 to 59 will soon be eligible for screening. Those 75 or over can ask for a kit every two years by calling 0800 707 60 60.
Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening for more.
