Bodybuilder diagnosed with bowel cancer wants earlier screening

A bodybuilder who was instructed he would possibly die earlier than he turned 40 after his bowel most cancers was missed has stated the screening age for the illness have to be lowered.

In 2022, Mat Dean, then 39, skilled arduous for a bodybuilding present however behind the picture of perfection, he was significantly unwell.

“I regarded nice, I felt nice at the moment. However little did I do know I had a cancerous tumour inside me that was going to attempt to kill me,” stated Mat, from Bridgend.

Mat has since had a number of surgical procedures after most cancers unfold to his bladder and liver however stated he was “lucky” he was “right here to inform the story”. The Welsh authorities stated it adopted nationwide steering on screening.

Mat’s signs began the yr earlier than when he would have sporadic, extreme abdomen ache and discover some blood when he had been to the bathroom.

He was examined by a GP who stated it was in all probability as a consequence of a small tear brought on by lifting weights and despatched him dwelling.

By the next yr the signs returned and when he misplaced a stone whereas on an all-inclusive vacation, it was the regarding set off to get checked once more.

“I had learn up on bowel situations – issues it may very well be like Crohn’s, IBS, there is a listing of issues and most cancers is in your listing however not at 39 years previous” stated Mat.

This time Mat, who was a panorama gardener earlier than his sickness meant he may not work, was despatched for a scan which rapidly revealed a big tumour in his bowel that had additionally unfold to his liver.

“I cried after I was first instructed after which I simply sat there like ‘is that this actually taking place’?”

Telling his companion Holly was one of the crucial tough moments, who was at dwelling with their five-month-old daughter Willow when he bought the prognosis.

“At first I believe I used to be in denial, I did not need anybody figuring out, I did not need it to be gossip,” recalled Holly.

“Anger I felt too – it was a very whirlwind time with a brand new child.”

Mat’s preliminary surgical procedure needed to be modified as a result of the most cancers had unfold to his bladder.

By February 2023 he underwent a second, main surgical procedure to take away the tumour and his bladder, leaving him with two stoma baggage, one linked to his bowel and one to his bladder.

“I used to be in a world of damage and I’ve by no means seen so many tubes and machines in all my life. I did not even realise the human physique may deal with so many issues sewn into it but it surely saved me alive.”

Earlier this yr he had surgical procedure to reverse the stoma linked to his bowel however the different stays, one thing Mat admits he struggled with, significantly on a current vacation the place folks stared as he sat by the pool.

“I used to be at all times the man with the highest off within the backyard – fairly happy with my form. It is taken a very long time for me to take my high off and expose them.

“However that is the cardboard I’ve been dealt, I’ve bought to be taught to stay with it. The bag is part of me.”

The newest figures from Public Well being Wales present 241 under-54s have been recognized with bowel most cancers, additionally known as colorectal most cancers, in 2021, out of a complete of two,654 throughout all ages.

A report in a medical journal on the finish of final yr discovered that charges in youthful folks have been rising – one thing Mat’s surgeon, Martyn Evans from Swansea Bay well being board has seen.

“I have been a marketing consultant for almost 13 years now and after I look again to my coaching I’ve to say it was uncommon to see a sufferers below 50 with colorectal most cancers.

“Worldwide there’s a phenomenon that colorectal most cancers within the below 50s is getting extra frequent.

“It is a phenomenon that we do not actually perceive but it surely’s a worrying concern as a result of what we do know is that when sufferers who’re youthful current, usually they’re presenting at a later stage of illness than those that are older.”

Mat, who additionally needed to have a tumour in his liver eliminated, has been most cancers free for 2 years and will probably be intently monitored for the subsequent three.

However he’s now trying to the longer term after proposing to Holly and planning a marriage in 2027.

“No one ought to undergo what I’ve been by means of if they only maintain a examine on their well being and their bowels – it may be simply missed,” stated Mat.

“I might have died inside the yr in the event that they’d performed nothing… so the considered with the ability to get a take a look at earlier which is available, I believe that is key.”

In Wales, everybody 50 or over robotically receives at-home bowel screening take a look at.

The Welsh authorities stated: “We observe the unbiased, skilled recommendation of the UK Nationwide Screening Committee which recommends routine bowel screening for women and men between the ages of fifty and 74.”