Roger White, Llanelli

In early 2016, I spotted that I was more gassy than usual, had stomach problems and was bloated. It doesn’t help that as I work in IT, I sit down for a lot of the day. I tried to change my lifestyle and diet but eventually went to the GP.

Fast forward to April / May 2017, I noticed blood in my stools and when I went running I could hardly hold my bowels. Again I tried to change my lifestyle habits, but  this can’t be done overnight, so I waited two - three months before going to see the GP. It was only when I was out running on two occasions that I couldn’t hold on to my bowels that I went to see my GP.

I saw a different GP from the one I saw a year earlier. They thought it was haemorrhoids and so did an examination but couldn’t see any evidence of piles, but they still prescribed me a cream for haemorrhoids. I refused it because I didn’t think my symptoms would be treated with a cream.

By the end of May my symptoms had not disappeared - I was more tired than usual and had to stop running as I was unable to trust my bowels, so I decided to go back to the GP. This GP referred me to hospital but it wasn’t until mid-July that I saw a consultant. My GP and the consultants all dismissed bowel cancer because I was too young. They put me on the waiting list for a colonoscopy, which took place on 9 August.

During the colonoscopy it was clear that there was a growth of some kind and they took biopsies to further investigate. Even though there was no confirmed diagnosis, I was immediately put into what could be said as the 'cancer bubble!' I was given appointments straight away for further tests. Everything was all a blur as it all happened so quick. Upon telling my wife, she immediately thought it must be cancer. However, I look at things differently and am more optimistic so believed it could be something else.

Following the colonoscopy, I had an MRI and CT scan. The scans revealed that the tumour was cancerous, was 6cm long and the treatment plan was to have an operation to remove the tumour and have a temporary ileostomy. At this point, I still didn’t know the stage of the cancer.

I really didn’t like the idea of having a stoma as my aim in life was not to be a burden on others. Ultimately by being diagnosed with cancer and having a stoma, our lives could be hindered. To me, having a stoma was harder to come to terms with than being told I had cancer.

A few days later, I was back in the hospital for further examinations. Initially I was told that the operation would just remove the tumour but now I was being told that I would have my whole colon removed. This was a massive shock to me.

I wanted a second opinion and was referred to a senior consultant which led to a different approach. In the end they removed the tumour which was near my rectum and this resulted in a temporary ileostomy. It was ten days after my operation that I found out I was diagnosed at stage three cancer. It was found to be in one out of thirty-three of my lymph nodes and was in my blood vessels, which meant that chemotherapy was inevitable. I also found out that the tumour was 4cm long not 6cm.

Chemotherapy options were discussed along with pros and cons of each. We were sent home with information for us to decide which option to elect for. As we are a busy family, with four children, two dogs and two cats, I was not keen to have a picc line fitted so I elected for IV and tablet (Zelox) form. This meant six cycles, one every three weeks.

I am lucky to be able to have my chemo at home. The side effects so far (being only on cycle two) and are tracking/burning of the veins, nausea, increased sensitivity to the cold and shallow breathing on colder days.

Since 31 August, when I was diagnosed, our children have been kept informed of everything. At first it appeared to hit the older two more so then the younger two. Throughout this whole situation, the aim was to limit the impact to my family and more so, to the kids. This meant liaising with the children’s schools to ensure that adequate support was available. 

Throughout this situation I have recorded and uploaded videos to social media to help others and to raise awareness. I also use my videos to cope with my bowel cancer diagnosis.

Update March 2023

Roger recently received his results from his last scan and is still clear from cancer. He no longer needs his regular check-ups. We're over the moon.

But we're leading change

Never Too Young is leading change for younger bowel cancer patients. Every year more than 2,600 younger people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. Our research has shown that younger bowel cancer patients have a very different experience of diagnosis, treatment and care.

What are we calling for?

• Improved clinical guidance and practice on bowel cancer in younger people
• Improved identification of people with genetic conditions and access to surveillance screening
• Improved information for younger people on bowel cancer symptoms