image source, uk cancer research
A cancer survivor who says early diagnosis saved her life is urging people to visit their GP at the first sign of illness.
Tony Gillard Rhonda Cynon Tough, from Aberdare, was diagnosed with kidney cancer a week before she was due to retire in 2008.
The 79-year-old said he might never have met his four great-grandchildren if he had ignored the early symptoms.
This comes after Cancer Research UK revealed that more than half of people living in deprived areas of Wales do not discuss possible cancer symptoms with their GP.
The charity has launched an early detection cancer awareness campaign to help people feel more confident in seeking help.
“If you’re at all worried, talk to your doctor. It could save your life,” Gillard said.
The grandfather of three and great-grandfather of four knew something was wrong when he noticed blood in his urine.
“I thought the color of my urine might have been due to eating beets the night before. Looking back, I was aware of the pain in my right side, but I didn’t think much of it.”
Mr Gillard called his wife Linda and advised him to seek medical attention immediately.
“I went to the hospital for an ultrasound and found out I had kidney cancer. I thought the worst and asked the doctor, “How much time do I have to live?”
An MRI scan revealed that Tony’s cancer was confined to his kidney.
“We decided to book a holiday to Spain for the whole family, and a few days before that we received the best news: the surgery was successful and we were cancer-free,” he said.
image source, uk cancer research
Mr Gillard said his diagnosis was a “wake-up call” that sparked a whole new way of living, including eating healthier, running and losing nearly five stone.
He completed Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life last year and will be taking part in this year’s event at Cardiff’s Bute Park in May with his son Michael to mark his 80th birthday. I signed up.
“More than 15 years later, at nearly 80 years old, I am healthier than ever,” he said.
“My advice is if you feel something is wrong, go and get tested immediately.
“If I had ignored the symptoms, I probably wouldn’t be here now.”
Cancer Research UK’s study surveyed more than 4,000 people across the UK, including 160 people from the lowest socio-economic areas of Wales.
We found that the most common reason for not going to the GP (19%) was difficulty getting an appointment.
Other reasons for delaying seeking help include not wanting to tell the receptionist about your symptoms (15%), not wanting to be seen as a fuss (14%), and not wanting to take your symptoms seriously (14%) were worried about this.
image source, uk cancer research
Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s chief executive, said it was “very worrying” that many people in Wales were not going to see their GP.
“It is important to get the diagnosis at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be successful.
“If you’re having trouble getting an appointment, try your best. Most of the time it’s a sign of something less serious, but if it’s cancer, catching it early can make a big difference.”
Professor Tom Crosby, Wales’ national cancer clinical director, said early detection was “key to improving survival rates for cancer patients in Wales”.
“When in doubt, look it up,” he said.
