A BUSINESSMAN diagnosed with bowel cancer is urging people not to ignore their symptoms.
John Addy was told the shattering news earlier this year but doctors caught the cancer before it spread.
Mr Addy believes it is only because he went to the doctors as soon as he became ill and secured a quick diagnosis.
Yesterday, Mr Addy was given the all-clear and won’t need chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The Netherton man, aged 60, once ran popular clubs in Huddersfield and continues to run a manufacturing business in the town.
Mr Addy said: “It is fantastic to be given the all-clear but I know that is only because I listened to the early warning signs.
“It was a big shock at first because I am healthy, I don’t drink or smoke and I didn’t think it would be cancer.”
He went to see his GP in January and one month later he was being operated on.
He added: “Thankfully the doctors said they got it early.
“But the important thing for me is for people to realise that the doctors only caught my cancer because I went to see them.
“I’ve been left with a 12inch scar and at first felt like I’d done 12 rounds with Mike Tyson after the surgery.
“But I feel so much better now and want to help other people.”
His father Ernest Addy died of bowel cancer six years ago aged 72.
Unfortunately doctors caught it too late and six months later he had died.
“I did wonder if it is hereditary but sadly they didn’t get his in time,” he added.
“I now just have to keep up with my check-ups.”
Mr Addy is feeling positive about his future and says he has the staff at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to thank for it.
Last week he took 50 Easter Eggs in to the surgical Ward 10 to thank them for their care.
Mr Addy is speaking out about his illness in the hope of encouraging other people with unusual symptoms to see a doctor.
“I’m the sort of person who will go to see my doctor if I feel unwell,” he said.
“But so many more people won’t, they’ll just leave it but the sooner cancer is caught the better.”
The 60-year-old has a very positive outlook on his diagnosis and it has made him re-assess his life.
He added: “Cancer can affect anyone, you don’t have to be a smoker or a big drinker to get it.
“I thought I’d never get ill, I’m not high-risk, but it did happen to me.”
When there's a cure
More than 35,000 men and women are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year.
About half of those will die as a result of the condition but if caught early it is one of the most curable cancers.
Symptoms vary but include a persistent change in bowel habit, bleeding, abdominal pain and a lump in the stomach.
Over 80% of bowel cancer patients are over 60.
