Bowel Cancer Awareness Month: Learn more about patient’s experience of the Bowel Screen programme

We would like to express our happiness and relief that, both of us participated and signed up to the Bowel Screen Campaign. As a result of a test in November 2016, Brian was called for a Colonoscopy.

After tests and consultation with Professor Paul McCormick, he was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. It was a massive shock to us both as, he had no symptoms. In fact, he had never been in Hospital since birth. Both of us were really upset but, we put our trust in all the Medical Team at St. James Hospital. After a number of scans, Professor McCormick made a plan for the required treatment. At first, it was oral chemotherapy as prescribed by Professor David Gallagher. This medication was taken daily in conjunction with twenty-eight sessions of radiotherapy under the guidance of Professor Charles Gillham. In May 2017, Professor McCormick performed surgery. As a result, Brian had a stoma. In September 2017, Professor Mc Cormick performed a reversal which was very successful and a much better quality of life for Brian. Up to the present time, Brian has had blood tests and scans twice yearly. The good news is that Professor McCormick has signed off on all his tests in 2023. He is really in brilliant health now and has continued to work during the past eight years and has now officially retired.

My story is, that as a result of the Bowel Screen test in February 2023, I was called for a Colonoscopy under the guidance of Professor McCormick. He discovered two pollops. One, he removed, the other was 2cm. He recommended that Dr Karen Hartery who specialises in this field, would remove it. This was done by Doctor Karen Hartery on March 23rd. A biopsy was done on both and thankfully were negative. This is a massive relief to me. If it wasn't for the Bowel Screen Test, this would never be discovered. In fact, it would probably be too late when, I would experience symptoms. Both myself and Brian just couldn’t recommend enough the importance of participating in The Bowel Screen Campaign. It definitely has saved our life's and we are so happy to be given the chance to live a healthy and fulfilled life. We have recently celebrated 44 years of happy marriage together. Our thanks to all the Medical team at St. James Hospital. We would like to mention particularly Professor Mc Cormick and his two Colorectal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists, Delia and Katrina. Professor David Gallagher, Professor Charles Gillham and their Medical Staff. Doctor Karen Hartery and the Nurses on the Bowel Screen Team Aisling and Laura and all the Nursing Staff at St. James for their super care and attention to detail. Any query or worry was always treated with care, sensitivity and efficiency.

As this month of April is a special month, our final wish is that, as many as possible between Sixty-One Years and Sixty-Nine will all register to participate in The Bowel Screen Campaign to make Ireland a safer, healthier and happier Country to live in.

Thanks to all for their interest in reading our Story.