THE WEST Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has announced he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Bill Longmore, who became the PCC in November 2012, said after his surgery, due to take place on Friday (January 17), he expected to spend five to seven days in hospital before he returned home.
While he recuperates he intends to operate from home up until around the end of February.
Mr Longmore said he planned to stay in touch with his deputy, the chief executive, the chief constable and other staff members using various technologies and from people visiting him.
He added if everything went to plan he hoped to resume full-time work, fully recovered, in March sometime.
Mr Longmore was supposed to have his operation on Monday morning (January 13) but on the way to theatre his surgeon was called away so it was rescheduled.
In November, Mr Longmore underwent some routine tests and several days later received a call from his doctor regarding a shadow on his lung which had shown up on a chest X-ray.
After further investigations, Mr Longmore was given the diagnosis, over the new year, confirming he had lung cancer.
He said he could not understand why though as he had been feeling perfectly fit and well, better than he had felt in years.
And how people had been continuously telling him how much younger he looked since he became the crime commissioner.
Mr Longmore added there maybe a truth in the term ‘lung cancer can be a silent killer, if not diagnosed early enough’ but vowed to battle the disease and hold onto his position.
“I believe that I can and will recover and look forward to completing my term as Police and Crime Commissioner.
“It has always been my policy to be open and honest with the people of West Mercia who elected me.
“I also wish to draw everyone’s attention to be vigilant in the fight against cancer,” he said.
