Cancer patient Steve Browne was encouraged by his wife to see his GP after suffering bleeding and stomach pain and warns people not to ignore warning signs
The problem with cancer symptoms is that many are vague and are more likely to be caused by dozens of other illnesses.
Steve Browne had put off seeing his GP after assuming the occasional stomach cramps and blood in his stool were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some years earlier the 59-year-old had been diagnosed with the digestive condition, which can cause symptoms including stomach pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits.
However when Steve told his wife, she insisted that he book an appointment with his GP. After some tests Steve was given the devastating news that he had bowel cancer – but is eternally grateful that his wife made him go so he was diagnosed early.
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Steve, from London, said: “We need a kick to get checked out, and my wife was the one who sent me to the doctor after I told her all my symptoms. If there is one message that I would like to share it would be that early diagnosis is so important. So if you notice something that’s not right for you, just make sure you talk to a health professional about it.”
Steve, a father of three grown up children, had experienced blood in stool and stomach pain on and off for several months before his diagnosis. He initially ignored his symptoms, as he had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome many years previously, but eventually did go to his GP. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012 aged 45.
Steve added: “I was lucky as the cancer was caught early and it had not spread. I needed surgery but did not have to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I spent some time at home recovering from the surgery, supported by my family and started a phased return to my work as a surveyor just a few months later.”
It comes as a large national survey found people are putting off getting red flag cancer symptoms checked because of a lack of GP appointments. A poll of 6,844 Brits by Cancer Research UK showed that was the main reason people ignored signs which could be cancer. The top reason was thinking it would be difficult to get an appointment which was cited by 53% of people, followed by trying and finding it difficult to get an appointment 47%.
Next was not thinking the symptom would be anything serious (44%) and deciding they could manage the symptom themselves (43%). Some 43% said they found it difficult to get an appointment with a particular healthcare professional while 40% did not want to be seen as making a fuss.
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Nearly one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. Spotting cancer early can make all the difference, so it’s incredibly important that people get the support they need when they notice something that’s not right for them.”
GP waits have significantly worsened over the last decade due to increased patient demand, chronic underfunding of primary care and fewer family doctors. The number of patients per full-time equivalent (FTE) doctor has increased, with each GP in England on average responsible for about 15% more patients – around 300 extra – since 2015. Labour have started to reverse that trend since last year but slowly.
The new YouGov poll also showed that 37% mistakenly thought their symptom was related to an existing illness, condition or life change. Some 37% did not want a remote appointment and 37% said they had other things to worry about. Cancer Research UK has trained Tesco pharmacists to help spot possible signs and symptoms of cancer and enable patients to speak to pharmacists in private if they need to.
Pharmacists will be able to offer guidance on taking the next steps and booking a GP appointment if needed. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before.
“I know that coming forward for a potential check for cancer can be daunting but it could save your life. So, if you notice any unusual changes in your health or have any concerns about potential cancer symptoms, please contact your GP, pharmacist or another healthcare professional as soon as possible.”
