'Fit man', 63, who threw away bowel screening kit given devastating cancer diagnosis

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A Scots man who felt 'too fit' to worry about cancer was dealt a devastating diagnosis two years after he threw away his bowel screening kit.

Craig Allen has told how he felt 'numb' when doctors told his he had stage 3 bowel cancer - two years after he first binned the kit that was sent to him after turning 50.

The now 63-year-old, from Cumbernauld, chucked the kit away after believing he felt fine and didn't have any symptoms. However family encouraged him to complete the screening test two years later, Glasgow Live reports.

The test flagged that Craig had blood in his faeces. Medics sent him for a colonoscopy which confirmed he had stage 3 bowel cancer. He said: "It left me numb, but luckily I had family with me.

"Indeed, the support of family and close friends throughout the process was exceptional and I’m extremely grateful for that. I’m ashamed to say that I binned it.

"I didn’t have any symptoms of bowel cancer and I thought that because I was quite fit, I didn’t have to worry about cancer.”

Craig underwent gruelling rounds of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery to remove a section of his bowel. He was also temporarily fitted with a stoma bag. He said that he found the experience "tough" and added "for the most part, my confidence was shattered."

Craig bravely beat cancer and has teamed up with Bowel Cancer UK to raise awareness over how vital the screening test is.

He added: "I wondered what I could do to help myself So, I decided to sign up to volunteer for Bowel Cancer UK. I felt, due to my own good fortune, I’d like to give something back.”

“I tell people that if you’ve been sent a bowel screening test in the post, don’t delay completing it. I’m a classic example of the benefits as I didn’t have any symptoms, so doing that second screening test may have saved my life."

“This can happen to anyone, so my advice is: don’t bury your head in the sand. The sooner you’re diagnosed, the quicker treatment can start.”

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Craig will volunteer at the roadshow in Glasgow from November 19-21, sharing his personal experience of the disease with visitors.

Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re really looking forward to talking to lots of people in Glasgow about the disease, the importance of knowing its symptoms, and why you should contact your GP as soon as you spot any signs. We'll be encouraging everyone who is eligible to take part in bowel cancer screening, and talking about how people can reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer.

“We’re so grateful to Craig for teaming up with us to help raise awareness of bowel cancer and just how important it is to take part in screening. We’re here to answer any questions you have about your bowel health and signpost you to further support. No appointment necessary. See you there!”

Road show locations:

Tuesday 19 November from 10am – 4pm at The Forge Shopping Centre (1221 Gallowgate, Glasgow, G31 4EB)

Wednesday 20 November from 10am – 4pm at Glasgow Central Train Station (79 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3SL)

Thursday 21 November from 10am – 4pm at St Enoch Shopping Centre (55 St. Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4BW)

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