Olympian advocates for bowel tests after cancer scare

"Please don't die of ignorance" says former Olympian Iwan Thomas who was diagnosed with cancerous cells in his bowel after initially ignoring the routine tests.

The star sprinter, 52, from Southampton admitted he had ignored symptoms and a home test kit for about two years.

Thomas who won a silver medal in the 4 x 400m relay in the Olympic games in Atlanta in 1996, shared his story on social media and said he was "blown away by the response".

Speaking to BBC South Today, the Welsh athlete said people of all ages had been in touch with him, sharing their bowel cancer stories and he wanted to encourage others to "just take the test".

The father-of-three said he received a NHS letter about screening when he hit 50 but he dismissed it, thinking he was fit and healthy, and feeling "slightly embarrassed" to do the procedure.

The NHS offers kits every two years to people aged 50 to 74 registered with a GP.

Patients are required to use use a small stick provided to collect a tiny sample of poo and place it in a provided tube, before sending it off for testing.

Thomas says he was fortunate that he did not ignore a follow-up message from the NHS.

"If I'd have left it any longer it could have been a different outcome," he said.

Within days of sending his test, he was contacted to be told that something was not right.

A colonoscopy later found three growths in his bowel and, following a biopsy, doctors told Thomas it was lucky he came in when he did.

He said the whole procedure was simple and "not embarrassing at all".

Thomas said he felt "ashamed" that he had ignored his symptoms, as well as feeling "shaken up" by the experience.

He thanked the NHS for chasing him up and said the scare had led him to reflect on his lifestyle choices and he was now vowing to eat healthier.

"If you've got a test kit at home, take the test. If you're worried, go to the GP."

He continued: "I want to be here as long as I can for my children, if that means taking tests like this more often, I will do it."

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