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Personal Trainer's Life Saved by Free NHS Test
3 Feb
Summary
- A simple, free NHS bowel screening kit detected early bowel cancer.
- The trainer initially ignored the test, thinking he was healthy.
- Early detection allowed for successful treatment without chemotherapy.
A personal trainer, Ivan Corsby, discovered he had bowel cancer after finally using a free NHS screening kit. Corsby, who believed his active lifestyle meant he was healthy, initially ignored the test sent to him on his 54th birthday. A friend, a cancer nurse, convinced him to complete it, leading to a positive result.
Following the positive test, Corsby underwent further medical examinations, which confirmed bowel cancer. Fortunately, the disease was detected early, enabling a successful surgery that removed the affected area. This early intervention meant he did not require chemotherapy and has since made a full recovery, returning to his fitness career.
The NHS promotes these faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) to individuals between 50 and 74 years old. These kits are mailed to those registered with a GP every two years, aiming to detect blood in stool samples that could indicate bowel cancer before symptoms appear, thus improving treatment outcomes.
