A man from Aviemore is urging everyone to complete their bowel screening test when they receive it after he, despite feeling fit and healthy, was found to have bowel cancer following a positive test.
Peter Sturrock, 57, explained that this was the fourth time he had been asked to take the bowel screening test which, he admits, he now treats differently than he did when he got the first one.
He said: “I did delay doing the first test. I received it when I was 50 and it was much more involved, I was busy at work and travelling a lot so it wasn’t high on my list of things to do. I feel guilty about that.
“Now, the test is super simple and I do it within a week of receiving it. I make sure not to file it away in a pile of papers and forget about it.
“I’ve researched the process and was very surprised that about a third of people in Scotland don’t do the test. I was very glad that I did mine.”
Peter did his test on a Friday and by the following Tuesday he had a letter with an appointment to arrange a follow up.
He explained: “I was surprised to get that letter. I was fit and well. I was cycling, skiing, doing crossfit and, to me, I had no obvious symptoms. There’s also no genetic link in my family as far as I’m aware.
“My appointment was over the phone to discuss and arrange a colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy they discovered I had cancer, after that everything moved very quickly. I had two scans within the next week and a meeting with the consultant a week after that. He explained everything in detail and surgery was arranged three weeks later.
“There was always support from specialist nurses and support staff who I’d met and they could be easily contacted. However, I was still very shocked by my diagnosis. I’m very thankful to the team at Raigmore, they were all very professional and looked after me well.”
After his minimally invasive robotic bowel surgery Peter stayed in hospital for three days before being discharged home. It’s been a few months since his operation. He didn’t need chemotherapy but will get scans and monitoring in at six and 12 months.
He said: “I’m out and about, working part-time and walking each day. I’ve started cycling again and, while it is taking time to recover, I’m very positive about getting fully fit again. I’m very grateful that I took that test.
“I would say to everyone who has received their bowel screening test to not delay. Even if you’re feeling fine or find that life is getting in the way, take the test. Please don’t be one of the 1 in 3 who don’t take the test, or the 1 in 4 who don’t go to the colonoscopy.
“The earlier bowel cancer is found, the simpler the treatment and the better the prospects are for the future.”