Bowel cancer test saved Bob’s life

A Carluke grandfather now living in Kirkmuirhill is being used as the figurehead for a new anti-cancer campaign after he beat the dreaded disease.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Dec 2015, 18:20 BST
Bob WhiteBob White
Bob White

It was 75-year-old Bob White’s decision to test himself for bowel cancer which saved his life and so made him an enthusiastic supporter of NHS Lanarkshire’s drive to encourage folk to give themselves a wee check - a ‘Wee C’ - to detect cancer - ‘The Big C’ - early enough for effective treatment.

Encouraging other folk to use the bowl testing kit being distributed by NHS Lanarkshire, the retired teacher and youth counsellor said: “I didn’t have any symptoms but the test identified that I had bowel cancer.

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“It was vitally important that I used it because it caught the disease early. If I’d decided not to bother to test myself this year and just put it off, the cancer could have had a chance to spread beyond my bowel.”

He added: “The kit is very simple to use, but it has proved to be a potential life-saver for me and many others.”

Dr Jennifer Darnborough, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health, said: “Over 400 bowel cancer cases are picked up every year in Lanarkshire.

“If it’s found early nine out of 10 people will beat it. So do follow Bob’s example and take the test.”

Screening kits can be obtained by phoning the Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833.