Steve Hollington, Warrington

I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in November 2022.

I turned 58 on Wednesday 31 August that year. Sometime around that date, a FIT (faecal immunochemical test) arrived through the post. I felt no urgency to do the bowel cancer screening test because I didn’t have any symptoms. Several weeks later, I finally did the test however and sent it back. I was notified fairly quickly that further investigation was required, as there was evidence of blood in my sample. I then had a colonoscopy, which clearly showed tumours on the screen. I was told there and then it very much looked like cancer. This was confirmed a few days later following a biopsy and MRI/CT scans.

I was in total shock and was fairly devastated by this news. I’ve had a few very emotional and tearful moments, but on the whole, feel that I’ve accepted and handled the past 12 months fairly well. I try my best to remain positive, which works well overall.

After my diagnosis, I read some information on Bowel Cancer UK’s website which helped me. There was lots of support and guidance on their website and I found the personal experiences of others with bowel cancer, whilst obviously moving in many cases, also useful and informative to watch and hear. 

On 9 December 2022, I had an operation to have some tumours and 18 lymph nodes removed, 10 of which tested positive for cancer, so a course of chemotherapy was recommended. I was also given an ileostomy during this operation. I then had chemotherapy for 12 weeks from February until April in 2023, and two months later, I had a stoma reversal on 22 June 2023.

My treatment is now complete. However, I’ll have annual scans for the next few years, my first one being 12 months post-surgery, which is due December 2023. I believe I’ll have both a colonoscopy and MRI scan at this 12 month mark.

Naturally, I do have some anxiety about whether the cancer could’ve spread but again, I try to think positively and put any negative thoughts to the back of my mind. I cannot fault the support and care I received from the medical team who took care of me. They were all, and continue to be, absolutely fantastic. My family and friends have also been very supportive and I consider myself very fortunate and blessed in that regard.

The main message from my perspective is to return your FIT test, irrespective of whether you have any symptoms because it could save your life, as it did mine. I won the lottery when that FIT test fell through my door because without it, doesn't bear thinking about.

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