A cancer survivor has hailed the bowel screening test after it helped reveal he had THREE potentially fatal conditions.

During Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, grandfather-of-four David Waters has told how his bowel screening kit not only detected cancer but also led NHS Lanarkshire healthcare staff to coincidentally spot he had two aneurysms when they scanned him to investigate his tumour.

David, 79, from Kirkmuirhill in South Lanarkshire, said: “I did my bowel cancer screening test in 2010 and was surprised when it showed a possible abnormality as I’d had no symptoms like pain or bleeding.

“But the test proved to be right and they found a tumour in my rectum.

“The consultant and other staff at Wishaw General Hospital were very reassuring and told me they were confident they could successfully treat my cancer.

“I had radiotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink the tumour and then underwent a successful operation at Wishaw to remove it.

“Doing the test helped catch the cancer early – that was absolutely vital to ensure I beat it.

“I know that from experience because I had a friend who was sent the test at the same time as me. He put off doing his and by the time he developed bowel cancer symptoms a couple of years later it was too late for the medics to save him.”

David said a “bonus” was that a scan to assess the tumour also uncovered two other symptomless, potentially deadly conditions. He had an aneurysm in his aorta – the main blood vessel that leads away from the heart – and another aneurysm in the femoral artery in his right thigh.

If either of the swellings had burst, they could have caused huge internal bleeding that is usually fatal.

Retired mechanical engineer David explained: “They monitored the aneurysms for a couple of years until they started to enlarge, then I had an operation at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride to fix them.”

The screening test’s lifesaving impact has led David to become one of NHS Lanarkshire’s bowel cancer screening champions – local men and women who have had cancer diagnosed thanks to the kit and gone on to have successful treatment.

David added: “Screening was triply successful for me as it led to the discovery of three potentially fatal problems I was totally unaware of. I’d urge everyone who is sent the kit to use it because it really can be a lifesaver.”

Dr Jennifer Darnborough, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health, said: “April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, spearheaded by the charity Bowel Cancer UK, so it’s an ideal opportunity to highlight the importance of using the screening kit, which is sent to everyone aged between 50 and 74 every two years.

“Bowel cancer is Scotland’s third most common cancer and almost 500 are picked up every year in Lanarkshire. As David’s story shows, if it’s found early – by screening, even before any symptoms are there – nine out of 10 people will beat it.

“Doing the bowel screening test every time you are sent one is really important but you still need to keep any eye out for any changes that you notice in your bowel habits and, if in any doubt, pop along to see your GP to set your mind at rest.”