Kevin De'Cort, Essex

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Kevin, 55, from Rayleigh in Essex, was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer in November 2022. He says it was the campaigning of Dame Deborah James that made him aware of the importance of checking your poo and acting quickly on potential symptoms.

Following surgery at the beginning of December, Kevin's now well on the road to recovery thanks in part to an early diagnosis. He wants to share with others the importance of knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer and immediately calling your doctor if you spot any of them.

Kevin's story

When I noticed blood when wiping my bottom, I immediately thought of the last message of Dame Deborah James before she died of bowel cancer, "check your poo". I believe this phrase saved my life – it's because of her I did indeed check my poo and called the doctors as soon as I spotted the blood.

Now I want to shout it from the rooftops: if you notice a change in your bowel habits or blood in your poo, don't hide away and pretend there's nothing wrong. Go and get it checked out.

It was back towards the beginning of September 2022 when I first noticed the blood and I contacted the doctor straight away.

Following blood tests, I was sent for a colonoscopy in October, where cancer was found in my lower colon (bowel). Biopsy samples were taken at the colonoscopy and sent off for tests. Within days, I had a CT scan to check if the cancer had spread further and the following week, I had meeting with a surgeon and cancer care nurses at Southend Hospital. Just two weeks after that I had keyhole surgery. Thankfully, the operation went smoothly. I only spent four days in hospital and have been recovering well since.

Because I caught the signs of my cancer early, my operation was fairly easy and I didn't need any further treatment. Within around three weeks after surgery, I was eating almost normally again and even starting to get back to my daily work routine, albeit one day at a time. I was pretty much back to full fitness within seven weeks. I've now been given the all-clear by the hospital, although I will be carefully monitored for the next five years.

I only spotted the symptoms in early September and believe it's because I dealt with it straight away, rather than do nothing and hope it would go away, that I am on the road to full recovery.

However, it could have been so much worse; to give up around two months of my life for treatment is nothing compared to ignoring the signs and possibly suffering terribly as Deborah did, who eventually died.

So, I want to say to anyone who may see blood in their poo or red in the toilet bowl, don't think it will just go away. Don't be embarrassed to speak to a doctor or hospital, as the earlier you get the diagnosis, the better chance you have of stopping this horrible disease and hopefully saving your life.

To reiterate Dame Deborah's message – CHECK YOUR POO.