Cancer survivor urges people to "put health before pride" (From Harrow Times)

Harrow cancer survivor urges people to "put health before pride"

1:07pm Monday 6th February 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A cancer survivor from Harrow is urging people to "put their health before their pride" as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Lewis Bathard, of Torbay Road, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2006, just before he was due to go on holiday to South Africa.

The 77-year-old retired cobbler said: "I thought I was just having symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but as my wife and I had a holiday planned, I decided to get it checked out by the doctor.

"He examined me and ordered a precautionary colonoscopy, which revealed the tumour. In a way, that holiday saved my life, otherwise I may not have gone to the doctor in time."

Mr Bathard's tumour was caught early so it was removed by keyhole surgery at St Mark's Hospital, in Watford Road, Harrow, which he says was "as easy as having a toenail removed" and he did not need any chemotherapy.

He added: "I was very fortunate they found my tumour when they did, but I know some people might be too embarrassed to go to the doctor with symptoms.

"Put your health before your pride and get it checked out before it’s too late.”

The Government’s new campaign Be Clear on Cancer was launched on January 31 and will last until the end of March. It aims to encourage early diagnosis of bowel cancer by raising awareness of the symptoms.

The disease affects 33,000 people every year in England and is the second biggest killer – responsible for 13,000 deaths a year.

Mr Bathard credits his remission to his positive attitude and the support of his wife, Shirley.

He said: "I don’t look on the gloomy side of things and that really helped my recovery."