‘I felt fit and healthy - but I had bowel cancer’

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 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.

The 57-year-old 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.”

Mr Sturrock 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, Mr Sturrock stayed in hospital for three days before being discharged home.

It has now been a few months since his operation. He did not need chemotherapy but will get scans and monitoring in at six and 12 months.

Mr Stturrock 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 one in three who don’t take the test, or the one in four 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.”

More about bowel cancer and screening…

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer among adults in Scotland, with nearly 4000 people diagnosed every year.

Bowel screening aims to detect cancer before symptoms even develop. When it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, nine out of 10 people survive.

Men and women aged 50-74 are sent a screening test to complete at home every two years.

If you have made a mistake, misplaced, or did not receive your screening test kit, you do not have to wait until your next test comes in the post. A replacement can be requested. In addition, people aged 75 and over can request a screening test.

To request a test kit, contact the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre by free phone: 0800 0121 833 (textphone 18001 0800 0121 833) or by email: TAY.scottishbowelscreening@nhs.scot

What to look out for

The symptoms below can be caused by several conditions, not just cancer.

However, if you have noticed any of them yourself, make an appointment to tell your doctor, even if you have recently completed a bowel screening test kit and were told the result was negative:

• Repeated bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo.

• A recent change in your poo that continues every day for 4 weeks, without going back to normal.

• Watery poo on its own or with constipation (constipation on its own is less likely to be serious.

• Severe pain in your stomach that won’t go away, especially after eating.

• You’ve recently lost weight without trying.

• People say you look pale and you feel tired a lot.

More information about bowel screening, including information in alternative formats including BSL, language translations and easy read can be found at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/bowel-screening

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