Philip Moon, Lancashire

I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in May 2024.

My diagnosis was following a scan for a kidney stone problem in which it also showed a thickening in my bowel area and was advised to have a colonoscopy. During the procedure it had to be stopped as the consultant could not get the camera past the thickening area, but they did manage to take a biopsy. I was informed that it was very likely to be cancerous, which was confirmed and it was stage 4.

After not experiencing any symptoms of bowel cancer and then to be diagnosed at stage 4 was obviously very shocking, but I am a positive person so I took it all in my stride.

Following my diagnosis, I had an operation at Victoria Hospital in Blackpool to have a stoma fitted in order to keep my bowel clear during the chemotherapy. I was offered to be part of a clinical trial at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, and on just over a month later I started the trial and my first round of chemotherapy – this was to reduce the size of the tumour so I could have surgery in order to remove it.

Sadly the cancer had spread to the edge of my bladder and in February 2025 I had a 10 hour operation to remove the tumour and my bladder so I now have two stomas. At the moment, I am currently in discussion with my surgeon regarding putting my bowel back together and reverse the colostomy stoma. However I will have to live the rest of my life with my urostomy stoma.

It’s a very strange thing to say but being diagnosed with cancer is not the end, it’s the start of what can be a very difficult time for many, and for some people their future can look positive.