When Peter Doyle was in a bad car crash, he expected to be diagnosed with whiplash. However, in a shock turn of events, he was told he had lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Scotland with around 5,000 new cases diagnosed every year.

The grandfather of three said: “In May last year, we were driving when this boy came out of nowhere and flew into us. The car was mangled and the fire brigade told us that they didn’t know how we managed to get out alive.

“We were both in a bad way, but my wife got she worst of it. She ended up having to stay in hospital for three weeks.

“I was in a lot of pain in my ribs. I was in agony whenever I coughed or sneezed, so I was sent for some x-rays.”

Peter was contacted to say that medical staff had seen a shadow in his lung, which was later diagnosed as cancer.

Peter said: “I was running about daft visiting my wife in hospital in between appointments for myself. The stress was one of the worst bits of it. My head was in turmoil and I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I was absolutely stunned.

“When you are told that you have cancer, everything goes through your mind. I even planned my funeral and told my wife exactly what I wanted and what I didn’t want to happen on the day.

“After my final round of chemotherapy, they told me that the cancer had reacted to the chemotherapy and it had shrunk. This enabled them to take a section of my lung away instead of the full thing.”

Peter said: “I feel good now. We were unlucky having the crash, but it ended up being lucky for us. It was due to the crash that I was diagnosed.

“Cancer doesn’t hide from anyone. It affects all people at all stages of life.”