Nick Rimmer

In 2019, IT specialist Nick Rimmer, from Crieff, was diagnosed with stage one bowel cancer following a routine NHS screening invite.

A week after his 50th birthday, a bowel screening kit arrived through his letterbox – a test he admits that he was initially hesitant to take, but which he now credits to saving his life.

I got the test through my door… I was a bit hesitant. But my wife has worked in healthcare for over 30 years – there’s no way I was getting out of it.

Following the result, I had a scope, then a scan, got the results that it was cancer, and the week after that I was meeting the surgeon.

Within about six weeks, I was in the operating theatre having a foot of my bowel removed. I got out on Christmas Eve and I am now living well.

I’ve been healthy for the last five years. When you get diagnosed at an early stage, it can be treated swiftly, with minimal disruption to your life.

Definitely don’t throw the test in the bin- you’re just storing problems up. I consider myself lucky because it was detected at a stage where I had absolutely no symptoms and no idea. Okay, I had to go through a major operation, but after that I didn’t require any chemotherapy.

The information I received from Bowel Cancer UK was spot on and really helpful. They’ve got an online forum where you can go on and ask questions with other patients and families. Talking to those people was brilliant; you’re all in the same boat.

What people shouldn’t do is just Google it. Every cancer is particular to the individual. When you Google stuff, you’re getting worst-case scenarios, and you can’t process that properly because you’re not qualified to. On the Bowel Cancer UK forum, you’re getting targeted information.

Getting checked early meant I could get back to normal life without months of uncertainty and I’m living a good life now, I’ve actually recently had a trip up north to do part of the North Coast 500 in a motorhome, which was great. I really value spending time with my family and friends.

I do quite a lot of exercise now and a lot of walking. I still like a beer now and then, but I’m much more mindful about my health than I was before – I make sure I do the screening test whenever I’m invited.

Even if you don’t have symptoms, when that test lands on your doormat – do it. The more people that do the test and find cancer earlier, the likelier they are to live well again.

The information in this case study, including ages, are current as of the drafting date.