HE IS SUFFERING from terminal bowel cancer.

But Terry Meigh, 65, is making it his mission to warn others about his deadly illness.

The Kirkheaton grandad has made himself a medical guinea-pig in the hope of snatching a few more precious months or years with his family.

But time is all the keen golfer can wish for, as the large tumour in his bowel had spread to his liver before he had e ven noticed any symptoms.

Now, he is urging all over- 60s who receive bowel cancer screening kits in the post to make sure they carry out the test for the UK’s commonest cancer.

Terry, who has been married to Ann for 43 years, said: “They think my cancer started about five years before I was diagnosed.

“I felt fine but noticed my toilet habits changed and became looser and more frequent.

“I never thought it could be cancer.

“It is terminal and there is no cure but the treatments are giving me more time.

“We decided from the beginning, you never know how long you’ve got, so we just enjoy life.

“If anyone’s bowel habits change, I would urge them to go and see their doctor immediately.

“And anyone who gets a screening pack through the post, just do the test and send it off.”

The father-of-three had always lived a healthy lifestyle, playing golf at Longley Park Golf Club and crown green bowling for Almondbury Bowling Club.

He couldn’t believe it when a bowel x-ray revealed a large shadow in February, 2008.

Further tests, including a camera biopsy and a CT scan, showed the tumour was cancerous and had already spread to his liver.

By then, major bowel surgery wasn’t an option, as medics could not repair the liver damage caused by the cancer.

Terry was given 10 sessions of chemotherapy from March to August last year.

He said: “You feel grotty when you've had it. I suffered mouth ulcers and constipation.

“All the staff at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary are wonderful. They were marvellous and so caring and understanding.”

Terry was then given a break and the couple enjoyed several holidays including a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Miami.

He is now undergoing a second course of chemotherapy and is taking part in Piccolo drug trials, which have so far helped his liver and bowel improve.

He added: “I have thought why has this happened to me, but that’s life. I’m not bitter.

“At least I can get my house in order for Ann.

“But I try to stay positive. I’m not a doom and gloom merchant about it. I take it day-to-day and enjoy the time I’ve got.”

Terry has even teamed up with Huddersfield detective – and fellow bowel cancer survivor – John Lee to raise more than £10,000 for Bowel Cancer UK by organising a golf tournament and cricket match last year.

Bowel cancer is the most common cancer affecting both men and women, with 38,000 people diagnosed and more than 16,000 lives lost from the disease each year.