Dean Royall, Glamorgan

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March 2021, aged 60.

I remember the bowel screening test dropping through the letterbox in February 2021 and completed it straight away. The results came back positive and I was referred for a colonoscopy.

I could see a black mass in my colon on the screen. This was quite a shock as I had no symptoms. The nurse said it looked like cancer so they took samples and said they could me with a result in a few days.

It was lockdown and I was sat in an empty car park totally stunned with a leaflet in my hand.

A few days later I had a phone call to confirm I had bowel cancer with a date to see a specialist. Luckily I was diagnosed early.

I saw the surgeon soon after and I had my operation in May. They said they were going to cut a piece out of my colon and then reattach it to my rectum. Unfortunately, the procedure didn’t go to plan due to lack of blood supply so I woke up with a stoma. Once again, I was totally stunned, I didn’t know how I would cope.

Thankfully I didn’t need any further treatment, which was a relief.  

Shortly after my diagnosis I was told I have Lynch syndrome, so I regularly have blood tests and every two years I have a colonoscopy.

My medical team were first class and the aftercare with my stoma nurses is still ongoing but I live life to the full now, playing golf and going on plenty of holidays. I think being ex-military got me through plus having a positive attitude.

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