Mike Edwards, Bournemouth

I feel the time has come to share my story about my bowel cancer journey, which was diagnosed just over 50 years ago when I was just 23 years old.

In 1971 having completed a six-year apprenticeship in the printing industry I decided I wanted more out of life and emigrated to Australia as a “£10 pom” (a term used to refer to people from the UK who migrated to Australia under the Assisted Passage Scheme).

Having been in Australia for just over a year I was having problems with blood in my poo which I thought at the time to be haemorrhoids (piles) and initially took no notice, however the blood increased which did alarm me, a consequence of which was that I attended my doctor in Brisbane. After having a feel up my bum he detected something and took a sample which was sent away for analysis.  Three days later I received a phone call at my work, and he told me the results: it was bowel cancer and he would like to admit me into the Mater Hospital in Brisbane to operate. I remember asking him how soon that would be and his reply was that if it was OK with me he would send transport immediately and pick me up from my work to admit me. I was stunned but nevertheless agreed.

Once admitted it took three days to clear out my bowels in preparation for the operation, which took place soon after.  Although the doctors were pleased with the total removal of the cancer, it transpired that nothing was filtering through my body and I was constantly being sick with bile. It was then decided reluctantly by the doctors to reopen me up for another operation to find the cause of the obstruction.  I was informed it was caused by adhesions, or in other words, when they put my organs back inside they got somewhat tangled, resulting in a passage blockage.

I was in hospital for a number of weeks during which time I had many visitors from my mates at work, who had come to say their “goodbyes”.  At the time I did not know what was happening only to find out much later that my bosses had told everyone that I was not expected to pull through and urged them all to visit and pay their last respects.

Well, here I am 50 years later, now 75 years old, enjoying life to the full, playing sport, and since my retirement in 2005 doing house and pet sitting throughout the south of England with my lovely wife Cheryl.

My advice to everyone: if you have blood in your poo, do not delay visit your GP IMMEDIATELY.