TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
Well-known member
Don’t wait too long to get checked out
By Pamela McGowan
Published at 08:59, Saturday, 28 April 2012
SELLAFIELD worker Kevin Lawson had suffered with stomach ulcers for years before being diagnosed with oesophagogastric cancer.
Kevin Lawson, 53, of Workington Now the 53-year-old is backing a new campaign, urging people to get clued up on the symptoms and get the, checked out immediately.
Kevin, a scaffolder’s labourer from Workington, had suffered from stomach ulcers for years and regularly visited his GP with indigestion. In November 2010 he went back to his doctor thinking he might have flu.
He said: “I worked at Sellafield as a scaffolder’s labourer and there had been a flu bug going round. I had a sore throat and a loss of appetite so I went to my GP thinking it was either flu or my usual stomach ulcer.”
But over Christmas Kevin’s condition worsened, resulting in him losing a lot of weight. Following a further visit to his GP, he was sent for an endoscopy – when a is camera inserted into the stomach via the throat – and further tests, including blood tests at the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven.
In January last year he was told by a specialist consultant that the polyps – abnormal growths of tissue – they had discovered on his oesophagus were cancerous.
“Initially the endoscopy showed that the throat inflammation had gone down so I thought I was going to be alright – at no stage did I think it was cancer,” he said. “When I was diagnosed I was upset but felt there was nothing to do but get on with it. I was worried how concerned my partner Maureen and my family and friends were going to be with news. I was told that although the tumour was too big for keyhole surgery there would be no need for chemotherapy as I had been diagnosed early and they didn’t think it had spread.”
Last March, Kevin underwent an eight-hour operation at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The surgery involved removing the tumour and some of the oesophagus, then pulling the stomach up in its place – a procedure that involves collapsing a lung.
Unfortunately in Kevin’s case, although the tumour was successfully removed, a further operation was required due to complications that resulted in fluid in his chest.
Kevin said: “I’m still recovering now and just relieved that the cancer was discovered early enough for it not to have spread, which is why it’s so important that people visit their GP quickly if they are experiencing any symptoms – no matter how small. My focus is on getting better, getting back to reasonable fitness and having a good quality of life with Maureen, who I’ve been with for 17 years.”
Kevin is a keen rugby fan and loves fishing. However, due to his health, he will not be able to work in a physical job like scaffolding again.
However partner Maureen said: “We’re all just glad Kevin has made it through. It’s been a very difficult time and the family and I are delighted he’s making such a good recovery.”
The Be Clear on Cancer campaign has been launched across the north east and north Cumbria by the North of England Cancer Network to raise awareness of the symptoms of these types of cancer and encourage people to tell their GP if they think something is wrong.
Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, deputy director of public health at NHS Cumbria, said: “Kevin’s experiences show the vital importance of visiting your GP if you have any concerns at all about persistent symptoms like a sore throat, difficulty swallowing or weight loss.
“Spotting the warning signs of cancer as early as possible is important in ensuring it is treatable. It’s very likely that going to his GP and getting looked at as quickly as possible has saved Kevin’s life. I join him in urging anyone experiencing similar issues to discuss them with their GP. It could be nothing at all to worry about but always better safe than sorry.”
PMcGowan@cngroup.co.uk
By Pamela McGowan
Published at 08:59, Saturday, 28 April 2012
SELLAFIELD worker Kevin Lawson had suffered with stomach ulcers for years before being diagnosed with oesophagogastric cancer.
Kevin Lawson, 53, of Workington Now the 53-year-old is backing a new campaign, urging people to get clued up on the symptoms and get the, checked out immediately.
Kevin, a scaffolder’s labourer from Workington, had suffered from stomach ulcers for years and regularly visited his GP with indigestion. In November 2010 he went back to his doctor thinking he might have flu.
He said: “I worked at Sellafield as a scaffolder’s labourer and there had been a flu bug going round. I had a sore throat and a loss of appetite so I went to my GP thinking it was either flu or my usual stomach ulcer.”
But over Christmas Kevin’s condition worsened, resulting in him losing a lot of weight. Following a further visit to his GP, he was sent for an endoscopy – when a is camera inserted into the stomach via the throat – and further tests, including blood tests at the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven.
In January last year he was told by a specialist consultant that the polyps – abnormal growths of tissue – they had discovered on his oesophagus were cancerous.
“Initially the endoscopy showed that the throat inflammation had gone down so I thought I was going to be alright – at no stage did I think it was cancer,” he said. “When I was diagnosed I was upset but felt there was nothing to do but get on with it. I was worried how concerned my partner Maureen and my family and friends were going to be with news. I was told that although the tumour was too big for keyhole surgery there would be no need for chemotherapy as I had been diagnosed early and they didn’t think it had spread.”
Last March, Kevin underwent an eight-hour operation at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The surgery involved removing the tumour and some of the oesophagus, then pulling the stomach up in its place – a procedure that involves collapsing a lung.
Unfortunately in Kevin’s case, although the tumour was successfully removed, a further operation was required due to complications that resulted in fluid in his chest.
Kevin said: “I’m still recovering now and just relieved that the cancer was discovered early enough for it not to have spread, which is why it’s so important that people visit their GP quickly if they are experiencing any symptoms – no matter how small. My focus is on getting better, getting back to reasonable fitness and having a good quality of life with Maureen, who I’ve been with for 17 years.”
Kevin is a keen rugby fan and loves fishing. However, due to his health, he will not be able to work in a physical job like scaffolding again.
However partner Maureen said: “We’re all just glad Kevin has made it through. It’s been a very difficult time and the family and I are delighted he’s making such a good recovery.”
The Be Clear on Cancer campaign has been launched across the north east and north Cumbria by the North of England Cancer Network to raise awareness of the symptoms of these types of cancer and encourage people to tell their GP if they think something is wrong.
Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, deputy director of public health at NHS Cumbria, said: “Kevin’s experiences show the vital importance of visiting your GP if you have any concerns at all about persistent symptoms like a sore throat, difficulty swallowing or weight loss.
“Spotting the warning signs of cancer as early as possible is important in ensuring it is treatable. It’s very likely that going to his GP and getting looked at as quickly as possible has saved Kevin’s life. I join him in urging anyone experiencing similar issues to discuss them with their GP. It could be nothing at all to worry about but always better safe than sorry.”
PMcGowan@cngroup.co.uk
