A CHESHIRE dad who put his rapid weight loss down to working too hard and not eating properly was told that it was in fact due to cancer.

Rob Gore, from Stockton Heath, was initially diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019 after his wife Kirsty persuaded him to go to his GP.

The unexpected weight loss was the main reason, however the 40-year-old had also begun to pass blood when he went to the toilet.

Three years on, Rob continues to have regular check-ups at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and is sharing his story to urge others not to ignore symptoms that could be cancer.

“By the time I received my diagnosis, I had resigned myself to the fact it was something serious,” says Rob, who works as a supply chain logistics manager.

“I had bowel cancer and it had spread with nodules in my liver and lung. I always tell friends, family, anyone – if you have any signs at all, please go and see someone.

“It feels huge when something in your body is not right, but there is no need to be scared. Getting diagnosed with cancer is not all doom and gloom.

“There is treatment available, so it is always best to get symptoms checked out to either put your mind at rest or get the care you need.”

After his diagnosis in March 2019, Rob had six rounds of chemotherapy at Clatterbridge’s outreach clinic at Halton Hospital’s CanTreat unit, followed by further treatment to help stop the cancer from spreading further.

He sees the Clatterbridge team in Halton every few weeks to collect his cancer medication, and he also has regular scans and check-ups to monitor his cancer.

A scan a year ago showed Rob had nodules in his lung, so he had another six rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumours.

He has also since had lung ablation – a non-surgical procedure that uses heat to kill cancer cells – at the Royal Liverpool Hospital to treat a nodule that looked like it was returning.

Rob is currently doing well, back at work full-time, and a few weeks ago he celebrated his 40th birthday with a family holiday in London with his wife and children, followed by a trip to Belfast with his wife.

He wanted to share his story during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this April to help others who may be worrying about symptoms or a recent diagnosis and to encourage people not to ignore early signs out of fear.

He was treated at by the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre team at Halton Hospital’s CanTreat unit

He was treated at by the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre team at Halton Hospital’s CanTreat unit

“My wife and the kids have been brilliant. They were really keen to give something back and I am so proud of them.,” continued Rob, who now lives in Sandymoor.

“I have two stepchildren and a daughter, and they have just climbed Moel Famau in north Wales to raise money for a charity that supports children whose family members have cancer.

“We are just making the most of everything we can – trying to get out there, do stuff and enjoy life.

“It has been really nice to be back in work as well and seeing people, because I am not one for sitting around.”

Rob also could not thank NHS staff enough for everything they have done to help him through his journey.

He commented: “The care I have had from the NHS has been great – I cannot say enough about how amazing everyone has been.

“I see my nurse consultant Jeanette regularly, and she is fantastic. I have a lot of trust in the team.

“I tell everyone – if you have any symptoms or are worried you may have bowel cancer, please go and get checked out. Do not put it off.”

More than 90 per cent of people with bowel cancer have one or a combination of the main symptoms which last for three weeks or more.

Jeanette Ribton, colorectal nurse consultant at Clatterbridge, said: “Rob did the right thing by going to see his GP when he noticed blood in his poo and that he had lost weight without trying.

“People sometimes dismiss early signs of bowel cancer, either from embarrassment or thinking it is just a dodgy tummy.

“If you have persistent changes in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more, blood in your poo, or abdominal pain or bloating when you eat, ask your GP for advice.

“It is also important to take part in bowel cancer screening if you are invited to do so.”