My name is Tom O Keeffe and I am 63 years old from Co Cork.
In April of 2015 I received a letter from bowel screen offering me a free bowel test. I had never had any difficulty or symptoms of bowel trouble so I felt that I would pass this test with flying colours.
The test itself was very simple and only took a minute or two. I posted my test and waited a reply, thinking it was just a formality.
Quickly enough I received my result and was shocked to learn that a small amount blood had been discovered in my test. In the accompanying letter I saw the words "don't worry" and immediately went into panic.
I was then contacted by a nurse and a colonoscopy was arranged for me in Kerry General Hospital, Tralee. There, a polyp was removed and sent for analysis. I was contacted by Cork University Hospital. I met surgeon who did some more tests and subsequently explained that a portion of my colon would have to be removed. He was confident that the cancer had been detected very early and that it had not travelled outside my colon.
My operation took place on the 7th of August 2015. I walked a little the following day and spent the next 8 days in hospital. The cancer had not spread so thankfully, chemotherapy was not required.
I was back playing 18 holes of golf in early October and have been very good ever since.
I am so grateful to bowelscreen for detecting the cancer at a very early stage and would strongly advise everyone to take the simple test. It's so easy and could save your life.
As a precaution I will have regular check ups for the next five years. It's nice to be looked after.