I’ll keep on fighting to save others

Dec 17 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

Stephen is the first to described 2004 as his ‘year from hell’ but he knows it could have been much worse.

He first sought medical advice after feeling uncomfortable - mainly tired and bloated - before a series of tests revealed bowel cancer.

He said: “Various research has suggested people are embarrassed to seek advice from doctors about bowel problems.

“The message I want to get across is not to be afraid. Don't be embarrassed to go to your doctor about abnormal bowel movements, because it could save your life.

"I know that early diagnosis saves lives but it's easy to see why people don't go to their GPs early. It is an embarrassing disease but because it is, people are literally dying of embarrassment.

“The surgeons saved me, and they can save other people too.

"About 17,000 people die each year from bowel cancer but 17,000 live to fight another day. There are a lot of us out there but there shouldn't be 17,000 deaths – people shouldn't die of it.

“Unfortunately, I hear of lots of people who present themselves to the doctor and find it's too late. The thing about bowel cancer is that if you have an early diagnosis and you're operated on quickly, then you have a very good chance of survival. I’ll keep on fighting because I’ve had that chance.”

davidhiggerson@dailypost.co.uk

‘I have my Dad for Christmas. That really is the best present you could wish for’

STEPHEN’S relentless work to raise the profile of bowel cancer, even while fighting cancer himself, has proved an inspiration to his family.

Daughter Emma Liptrot said: "I am so proud of my Dad and his achieve- ments. He is relentless in his pursuit of life and happiness and getting the message across about Bowel Cancer to as many people as possible.

"I have watched in amazement at times as he has stood outside shops with collecting cans, handed out apples on tube stations, collected in the rain at race tracks, sold thousands of pin badges, or had a hundred different ideas of themes for fundraising events, that you cannot help but get carried away with him into his dreams and carried with him into an unknown future, with all but positive thinking, and an energy for life that is as contagious as his smile.

"I have my Dad for Christmas and we will all be going out for a family lunch on his birthday on December 28. That really is the best present you could wish for."

* STEPHEN is currently spearheading the Foundation’s Mosaic Appeal, an online fundraising scheme aiming to raise at least half a million pounds to further the research and professional education that St Mark’s undertakes. For more information, visit www.mosaicappeal.org