Shannon Matthews case almost cost me life: Detective

Jan 23 2009 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The scan revealed the cancer had not spread and John went into major surgery on December 19, admitting it was a petrifying experience.

The operation lasted six hours and John was then in intensive care for three days.

He had a target in mind to be back at his Huddersfield home in time to see his family open their Christmas presents and arrived back on Christmas Eve.

The surgery means he has to wear a stoma bag for the next six months while the bowel fully heals.

He now also has to have chemotherapy as a precaution. That is starting to take its toll. He’s lost three stone since he was diagnosed.

John said: “If I’d gone to the doctor two years ago and been diagnosed far earlier the surgery would have been less intrusive and I wouldn’t have to wear a bag.

“And, of course, if I’d continued waiting, the outcome could have been far worse for me. When I was initially told I had cancer all I could think about was my family – especially my youngest son, Joe, who is only 12.”

John is married to Lynette who also has two sons, 25-year-old Jonathan – who now plays for Championship side Ipswich Town – and 27-year-old Andrew. John has another son, 22-year-old Alexander.

“My family, friends and colleagues at HMET have been wonderful,” said John. “I’d like to set up a support group for West Yorkshire police officers who have been diagnosed with cancer – and I’m desperate to get back to work.”

And John has high praise for the specialist colorectal nurses at HRI.

“They were absolutely magnificent,” he said. “They were always there for me and gave me so much support, especially just before the surgery.

“They are wonderful people with a great sense of humour, but I’m sure they won’t mind me saying that I hope others don’t get the chance to meet them.

“And they can cut those chances right down by looking out for the symptoms of bowel cancer and taking action immediately.”

Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to beating this killer

DETECTIVE John Lee ticked most of the boxes as a high risk for bowel cancer.

It is the second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, with around 35,000 people diagnosed with it in the UK every year – and almost half of them will die.

Yet it is one of the most curable cancers if caught early enough, with over 90% of bowel cancer cases cured if diagnosed in time and treated.

Now specialist nurses from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary will be highlighting bowel cancer all next week.

There will be an exhibition and displays in the hospital’s foyer with members of the Huddersfield and Calderdale Bowel Cancer Support Group there on Tuesday, from 11am to 2pm, to talk to people about their experiences.

The group meets on the third Thursday of every month from 1pm to 3pm at The Watermill pub at Salterhebble between Elland and Halifax.

The group includes people who have had successful surgery years ago and have been given the all-clear, through to those who have just had the shock of a diagnosis. The next meeting will be on February 19.

Specialist HRI colorectal stoma nurse Michelle Speight said: “John has been very courageous to talk about his experiences. Don’t forget that not everyone who gets symptoms of bowel cancer actually does have the disease but, as soon as you get the symptoms, get checked out by your GP.”

The charity Beating Bowel Cancer – www.beatingbowelcancer.org – has a huge amount of information and is running a week-long campaign called Be Loud Be Clear from Monday.

Bowel Cancer factfile

IF you have one or more of these symptoms for more than four to six weeks you should go and see your GP.

A persistent change in bowel habit, especially going more often or looser for several weeks.

Bleeding from the bottom without any obvious reason.

Abdominal pain, especially if severe.

A lump in the stomach.

Unexplained anaemia causing tiredness or weight loss.

Bowel cancer affects men and women equally and should not be thought of as an older person’s disease.

Most people who get bowel cancer are over 50, but 10% are under the age of 50 and some are even in their late teens and early 20s.

In many cases, bowel cancer occurs without any obvious cause, but it could also be due to genetics. Having a relative who has had bowel cancer almost doubles your risk of developing the disease. You are also more at risk if you have had two or more older close relatives from the same side of the family with bowel cancer.

A diet that is high in fat and red meat and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables can increase the risk of bowel cancer. People are urged to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

Obesity is associated with a marked increase in colorectal cancer.

High alcohol consumption and lack of physical exercise can also increase the risks.

If you exercise regularly your chance of getting bowel cancer can be halved.