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Joe Grogan was diagnosed with bowel cancerCredit: COLLECT 3<\/p>\n The Galway man told how he had no signs or symptomsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Joe said: \u201cWhen I got the letter, I thought, \u2018I don\u2019t need this\u2019, I felt good.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThen I picked it up again and said what have I got to lose? I rang the freephone number and got the kit sent out to my home.\u201d<\/p>\n BowelScreen invites eligible people to take part every two years using a simple FIT kit test sent to your home.<\/p>\n Joe admitted that he was initially hesitant and had no symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n He recalled: \u201cI read what I had to do and thought, I\u2019ll leave that for a day\u2026 then I changed my mind and just got on with it. It\u2019s five minutes of your life.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOnce the little sample is in the tube that\u2019s it. For what those five minutes have meant to me, I\u2019d do it every day if I had to.\u201d<\/p>\n The Galway man sent the test back and thought \u201cnothing of it\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Joe continued: \u201cThen I got a call on December 20, 2023 to say that something had shown up in my test and they wanted me to have a follow-up test called a colonoscopy on January 9.\u201d<\/p>\n A thin tube with a camera at the end was used to look for any changes in the bowel<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Joe said: \u201cDuring the colonoscopy I could see a polyp on the screen. I thought they would just snip it out and off I\u2019d go.\u201d<\/p>\n The 4 signs of bowel cancer that mean it’s ‘too late’ – as doctor reveals cause of surge in young people being diagnosed<\/p>\n A biopsy of the polyp confirmed that Joe had bowel cancer<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Tuam man said: \u201cI was shocked. I couldn\u2019t take it in. <\/p>\n \u201cI had no symptoms, no signs and hadn\u2019t been at all worried over Christmas about the colonoscopy coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n He underwent follow-up tests and started a treatment plan including chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, followed by surgery in August 2024.<\/p>\n Joe recalled: \u201cThere was very little discomfort after surgery. I just had to mind myself and follow the rules my doctor<\/a> gave me.<\/p>\n \u201cHere I am nearly eight months after the surgery, it was a blip, I will park that part of my life and move on with the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year.<\/p>\n COMMON CANCER<\/p>\n It’s the second most common of all cancers in men and the third most common of all cancers in women in Ireland.<\/p>\n Joe is now urging others to take the test that saved his life. <\/p>\n He added: \u201cI don\u2019t want people to be afraid of getting screened for bowel cancer, it\u2019s a first step. <\/p>\n “If it comes back negative, happy days. If there is an issue, deal with it. Don\u2019t let it go.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPeople get nips and tucks all the time that are visible, this is taking care of things on the inside. Bowel cancer can be treatable, especially when it\u2019s found early.\u201d<\/p>\n Clinical Director of BowelScreen, Professor Padraic MacMathuna, explained: \u201cBowelScreen is a valuable health check that can prevent cancer developing and save lives by finding cancer early.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor most people, the FIT kit will be the only test needed.\u201d<\/p>\n FOLLOW-UP<\/p>\n He said about three per cent of people who do the test are referred for a follow-up colonoscopy.\u00a0<\/p>\n MacMathuna continued: \u201cThis is where we look for and remove pre-cancerous changes, called polyps, from the lining of the bowel.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that most bowel cancers develop from polyps so by doing this we can prevent cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the small number of people who, like Joe, have cancer found following screening, it is usually discovered at an earlier stage, before symptoms have started when treatment is less invasive and more likely to be successful.<\/p>\n \u201cBowel screening is an important part of your normal healthcare routine, but it won\u2019t find all changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCancer can develop at any time. If you are experiencing symptoms, including changes in your bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or blood in your poo then you should see a GP, even if you have recently had screening or you\u2019re due to take your next screening test. <\/p>\n “Don\u2019t wait for screening, see your GP if you have symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n FUTURE TESTS<\/p>\n BowelScreen Programme Manager, Hilary Coffey, said: \u201cJoe\u2019s story reinforces the positive impact of choosing bowel screening. <\/p>\n “We\u2019re thankful to Joe for sharing his experience and hope it will encourage everyone aged 59 to 70 to take up their invitation of the home testing kit when it\u2019s offered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that 90 per cent of people in the age range who take one BowelScreen test will go on to complete future tests two years later when they\u2019re invited, reducing their overall chance of developing bowel cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone who is unsure of how to get a test or who wants information or guidance can contact us to find out more.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Colon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-1190673180__1_jpg-JS984040343.jpg\")
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