Adrian Fulcher, Suffolk

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2019, aged 60.

I didn’t have any symptoms of bowel cancer before my diagnosis. I received the screening test in the post and completed it straight away. I thought nothing of it until I received a letter asking me to attend an appointment for a colonoscopy.

At the appointment they took some biopsies but the results were inconclusive for cancer. They still wanted to do an operation to be on the safe side. About five weeks later I had a laparoscopic low anterior resection with a loop ileostomy. I made a quick recovery and three days later I was at home.

The reversal of the ileostomy went very wrong; it coincided with covid so I had to wait 16 months. I had to have another operation the next day because my anastomosis needed dilation, which then gave me colitis and ileus of my intestines. As a side effect I got ‘c difficile’ followed by an awful anal fissure which wouldn't heal.

The operation removed all the cancer and I didn’t need any further treatment.

I had my last surveillance colonoscopy in November 2025 and a CEA check and got the all clear. I feel pretty good but still suffer from low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Some days are good but sometimes I have to go to the toilet 10 times in an hour. This is because I lost most of my sigmoid colon, which helps store your poo.

My message to others in similar circumstances is, do lots of exercise. I know it's easy to say but get out in the air walk, run, cycle - life isn't a rehearsal. I was close to going but didn't, now I do not moan about anything. I to be able to make the most of life. I've been given a second chance and intend to make the most of it.