Rugby player was shocked by bowel cancer diagnosis

A former professional rugby player feared he would not live to see his children grow up after a shock bowel cancer diagnosis.

Gary Sanderson had gone to hospital to have piles removed when surgeons told the 36-year-old father-of-two he had a suspicious tumour.

The former Warrington player from St Helens had surgery to remove the cancer before undergoing chemotherapy and trials of new drug developed by Cancer Research UK.

Mr Sanderson, now 58, said his recovery was "living proof of the power of research", adding: "It's given me the greatest gift of all - more precious time with my family."

He said he had assumed blood in his faeces was a result of the piles while recent fatigue was presumably caused by working shifts at a warehouse.

But he said it was "an incredible shock" to find out they were symptoms of his bowel cancer.

"I didn't imagine for a minute I could have cancer, he said, adding: "I feared I wouldn't live to see my children grow up.

"It's vital that we put any awkwardness aside when it comes to talking about our poo and bowel habits.

"The most important thing people can do is be aware of what is normal for them and speak to their doctor if something isn't quite right.

"It can make all the difference."

After a successful recovery, Gary has shared his story to promote the work of Cancer Research UK and back the charity's call for more cancers to be diagnosed earlier.

"What used to be science fiction is becoming science fact and that's so important, because too many people are still dying from this devastating disease," he said.

Common symptoms of bowel cancer include a change in regular bowel habits, including any bleeding, alongside unexplained tiredness or breathlessness, losing weight and stomach pain.

About 5,300 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the North West each year, according to Cancer Research UK.

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